Their map shows the alarming extent of what Londoners stand to lose.

“Most people believe that Green Belt land is protected, but this research shows that politicians are allowing land which is much loved and well-used to come under threat from development. Astonishingly, this includes playing fields, recreation grounds and even local parkland,” said Alice Roberts of CPRE London.

“Local campaigners are battling to save these spaces and we think it’s time their local councillors, our Mayor and our MPs take action. We want them to stop just saying that they want to preserve the Green Belt and actually take action to halt these threats. We know that the vast majority of Londoners oppose building on Green Belt land, so we’re asking people to support these local campaigns. People can also write to local MPs and councillors, and the Mayor, to ask them to halt the threats to Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land in London right now!”   

Chris Nutt from Save Oakfield Site said, “Oakfield playing fields are in constant use by people of all ages and backgrounds: we represent the cohesive and active community that politicians want. We are staggered at Redbridge Council’s plans to sell it off for development. There is no gain for the local community whatever. And the proposals don’t include affordable homes. There is no need to build on this piece of Green Belt in Redbridge. The council can allocate land for housing in Ilford Town Centre or on brownfield sites.” [see note 2]          

https://www.facebook.com/SaveOakfieldSite

Caroline Donnelly in Hillingdon said, “We are fighting back against a potential development threat to our green, open space in Hayes End known locally as Hayes Park. It was recently put up for sale for £5 million. There have been numerous attempts to develop the site in the past, but the local community has stood up and protested. We are really concerned that, with the recent shift in government policy regarding Green Belt land protections, we will have a much bigger fight on our hands this time around.”  

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofhayesend  http://protecthillingdongreenbelt.co.uk/ [see note 3]

Balvinder Dhillon from Keep Osterley Green said, “The proposal to put a free school on the White Lodge site in Hounslow is bewildering. The site is not designated for education use and it is not shortlisted in the Local Plan site allocations. The lawful use of the site is for sports and recreation. Furthermore there are many suitable brownfield alternatives readily available. Even though it is manifestly obvious this is an inappropriate site for so many reasons, with other suitable alternatives available, this has not stopped the Education Funding Agency purchasing the land with substantial taxpayers' money and we are astounded that the council has even allowed it to get this far. Our council seems to treat this finite resource with disdain, with current plans allowing a number of the borough's new free schools to be built on Metropolitan Open Land.”    

 http://keeposterleygreen.org/   [see note 4]

NOTES

1. CPRE London campaigns to protect and enhance London’s Green Belt and its parks and green spaces. The results of CPRE London’s recent research into threats within the Greater London boundary to Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land (which has the same protection as Green Belt) is set out here. http://www.cprelondon.org.uk/resources/item/2288-protect-london-map

2. A Restrictive Crown Covenant dating from the 1930s protects Oakfield Playing Fields for the leisure and amenity of London children. It was an ILEA ground before Redbridge bought it as part of the Fairlop Plain Green Belt restricted by a crown covenant to use as a sports field for London children.

CPRE London is supporting Save Oakfield Site and wrote to Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, asking a number of questions relating this proposed development (available on request).

3. CPRE London is supporting the campaign in Hayes End.

4. CPRE London submitted objections to the planning application to develop this piece of land (available on request).

ALSO SEE

August 2015. Mythbusting: Myth 2: The Green Belt is safe from development. http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-planning/green-belts/in-depth/item/3027-green-belt-myths

August 2015. Green Belt Poll  On the 60th anniversary of Green Belt becoming government policy, a poll commissioned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) finds that nearly two-thirds of people surveyed believe that Green Belt land should not be built on [1,2]. http://www.cpre.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news-releases/item/4033-60th-anniversary-poll-shows-clear-support-for-green-belt

March 2015. There is particularly serious pressure in the Metropolitan Green Belt around London: houses planned in this area have nearly tripled since August 2013. http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/green-belts/item/3894-green-belt-under-siege-the-nppf-three-years-on

August 2015. Planning campaign briefing: Green Belt  This is designed to help branches and members understand the main changes and developments in key areas of policy. CPRE (national office) has updated the briefing on Green Belt to incorporate some key recent case law and the launch of CPRE’s August 2015 campaign. http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/planning/planning-campaign-briefings/item/2998-planning-campaign-briefing-2-green-belts