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Press Release

Countryside Need Not Be Sacrificed In Pursuit Of Economic Prosperity

25 March 2009

Safeguards are needed to ensure that precious countryside and green fields are not sacrificed to meet the housing and economic needs of rural communities.

The warning comes from countryside campaigners, CPRE, as the Government publishes its response, today (Wednesday) to the Taylor report on the rural economy and affordable housing.

Kate Gordon, CPRE's Senior Planner, said:

'Rural communities need affordable housing in order to thrive. But it is vital that homes are provided in the right place where they are actually needed with minimum harm to the environment. This is best achieved through the planning system, rather outside it by using exceptions sites, as the Government proposes.

'Effective planning can test proposals for their effects on the environment and communities, and fosters consensus and certainty. Exceptions sites can lead to development in the wrong place. Before rushing to build on green fields, priority should go to bringing back into use empty homes and redeveloping sites within existing settlements.

'Landowners have a role to play, but in providing incentives for them to make sites available, it will be vital that the Government puts in place safeguards to avoid any abuse of the planning system.'

Kate Gordon concluded:

'The countryside makes a huge contribution to our quality of life and economy. Our longer term prosperity and well being depend on how successful we are at protecting it. We are seeking assurances from Government that forthcoming planning guidelines will fully recognise this.'



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