Green Belt under threat from housing plans

There have been many recent news articles regarding the threat that the increased housing targets place on green field and green belt land.

This is not surprising with the recent Government commissioned report (Augmenting the Evidence Base for the Examination in Public of the South East Plan Final Report, Roger Tym & Partners) which puts forward options for increases in house building up to 60% above levels proposed in the South East Plan.

This would mean an extra 340,000 extra homes in the South East over the next 20 years, over and above the 580,000 already put forward for the South East.

Snippets from recent news articles include:

Councils "eating into green belt"

The Campaign to Protect Rural England criticised 13 councils for building less than a third of new homes on previously developed brownfield land. (BBC.co.uk)

Battle to save Brum's Green Belt

The countryside Brummie day trippers know and love could be about to disappear under a sea of concrete, campaigners warn today.

The Green Belt surrounding Birmingham is poised to become a new "battleground" as the Government increases pressure for more housing to be built.

Predictions are that 50% more land than currently planned will be allocated for house building in the West Midlands over the next 25 years.
(The Birmingham Post)

Green Belt under threat from housing plan

Green belt land in south west Hertfordshire is under threat from residential development, after a Government report revealed thousands more new houses must be built in the area by 2021
(Watford Observer)

Bid to stop controversial beauty spot development plan gathers momentum

The Echo launched its fight to "Save Dry Street" after learning the area was being primed for a mass development by the Government's regeneration agency, English Partnerships, which would include 1,300 homes

And it is now reported that this could eventually swell to 2,500 homes, with a second estate built on 183 acres of green belt land nearby if the original plan goes ahead.
(The Echo in Essex).

Green Belt plans to include new housing

Plans to develop 165 acres of land around Bentley Heath have been unveiled by Robert Byng, owner of the Wrotham Park estate, between Barnet and Potters Bar.

On Tuesday, Mr Byng revealed how he hopes to build homes and establish a village green and country park on Green Belt land which can no longer be used for agricultural purposes.
(This is Hertfordshire)

Warning over housing plan for greenbelt

Thousands more homes may be built on green belt land in Warwickshire, green campaigners warned today.

Rugby, Warwick and Leamington are all set to expand more rapidly than previously expected, a pressure group said.
(Coventry Evening Telegraph)

Drop your homes plan

The consultation period might be over, but East Grinstead Town Council is stepping up the fight against the construction of 2,500 homes and relief road.
(ic Surrey online)

Green Belt under threat

The failure to build homes in Oxford's green Belt has been singled out in a high level Government report as the reason for high house prices and a lack of space in the city.
(Oxford Mail)

Housing threat to green belt land

A huge rise in house building in the West Midlands' countryside threatens green belt land and is "environmental vandalism" campaigners have claimed.
(BBC.co.uk)

Railfreight terminal one step closer

A proposal to build a £300m giant rail freight terminal on Green Belt land outside Radlett has moved a step closer after a formal planning application was submitted
(Watford Observer)

UK Land Directory Comment - Sep 06

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