Green Belts Essential To Manage Housing Development

10 July 2007

‘The Green Belt continues to play a vital role in promoting urban renewal, preventing urban sprawl and protecting the countryside. With careful planning we can meet the nation’s housing needs while safeguarding the Green Belt.’

This was CPRE’s [1] reaction to suggestions that Government Ministers may be contemplating relaxing Green Belt controls in the face of pressure for new housebuilding. [2]

Neil Sinden, CPRE’s Policy Director said:

‘Green Belt policy has been vital in securing sustainable urban communities, and attractive and accessible countryside close to where most of us live. The Green Belt is hugely valued by the public, 84% of whom believe that it should remain open and undeveloped. [3] The Communities Secretary’s belittling of these views shows a disturbing disregard for public opinion.’

‘The Government recognised the benefits of Green Belt policy just a few weeks ago in the Planning White Paper. Despite other controversial proposals, the White Paper proposed ‘no fundamental change to Green Belt policy’. Yet, it appears that Gordon Brown and his new Ministers may have other plans. If true, this would be disastrous. It will send the new Government on a collision course with local communities and environmental campaigners across the country.’

Neil Sinden concluded:

‘We need Green Belts more than ever before to help secure urban renewal, sustainable rural communities and tackle climate change. With the right approach to planning we can meet the nation’s housing needs without trashing the environment. Building on the Green Belt is not the way forward.’

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. At a Select Committee session earlier today (Tuesday), the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, is reported to have refused to give an assurance that the Government is committed to protecting the Green Belt and also, according to the Press Association, dismissively said ‘I think we are going to have a tussle … because some people are concerned about environmental issues’. The new Chancellor, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, is also reported to have said yesterday that building on the Green Belt may be necessary in view of the need for more housing.

3. In a MORI poll conducted in 2005, when asked ‘How much, if at all, do you agree or disagree that Green Belt land should remain open and undeveloped, and building on it not allowed?’ a total of 84% were in agreement, comprising 61% strongly agreeing with the statement and 23% tending to agree.

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