Drawing on local evidence provided by CPRE branches in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, London and Surrey, the report demonstrates that the London Green Belt is, arguably, under greater threat than ever. There are now plans for 203 sites within the London Green Belt including proposals for 123,528 homes. Within the 42 local planning authorities that were surveyed covering nearly 84% of all London Green Belt land, the majority of the proposed homes (94%) are on sites allocated by councils in their Local Plan documents. The London Green Belt is also under pressure from infrastructure such as schools and roads.
The report finds that there is national pressure being applied to Local Planning Authorities to deliver inflated housing targets. These targets are inflated by unrealistic economic growth forecasts, forcing councils to give up Green Belt land.
The government’s planning framework states that only ‘exceptional’ circumstances should allow building on Green Belt land. However, unclear national planning guidance and confusing government messages are causing councils to believe that in order to gain national approval of their Local Plans, they must meet higher targets. This is causing them to look at Green Belt land to meet housing growth figures.
Richard Knox-Johnston, Chair of the London Green Belt Council said:
“Promises were made in the Conservative general election manifesto that the Green Belt would be “Safe under us”. However, councils are telling their residents that there is no alternative but to build in the Green Belt. Our evidence shows that in spite of the government’s promise, councils are responding to a series of national messages and policies which forces them to release Green Belt land to receive financial incentives and avoid sanctions.
“The system is clearly not working and is not protecting the Green Belt. It seems likely that the government target of two million homes by 2020 will not be met due to land banking and hoarding. By not taking action to unlock the land which already has planning permission, more pressure is being put on Green Belt land. We now need government to appreciate that this situation is not acceptable and to introduce measures to reinstate the protection of Green Belt as a matter of urgency.”
John Croxen, Chair of CPRE London, said:
“With the new government under Theresa May and her new Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, saying the Green Belt is ‘absolutely sacrosanct’ there is now an opportunity for government to change direction. We must keep up the pressure to ensure real protection for London’s Green Belt.”
For further information or interview call:
Richard Knox-Johnston, Chair of London Green Belt Council 01795844086 or 07899795386
Alice Roberts, Head of Green Space Campaigns CPRE London 07792942691
ENDS
NOTES
(1)‘Safe Under Us?’ An investigation into widespread threats from housebuilding in the London Metropolitan Green Belt [available at www.cprelondon.org.uk]
This report was commissioned as a joint project between the London Green Belt Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, London Branch. Local evidence was provided by the county branches of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) which have Metropolitan Green Belt within their boundaries: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
(2)The London Green Belt Council is a grouping of around 70 organisations with a concern for the Green Belt around London. These organisations campaign locally against development on Green Belt land and collectively they represent over 50,000 people. www.londongreenbeltcouncil.org.uk
(3)CPRE London is a membership based campaigning charity, a Branch of the national charity Campaign to Protect Rural England, concerned with protecting and enhancing London's Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land, parks, green spaces and green infrastructure, and achieving compact, green urban communities to help prevent sprawl into the countryside and ensure that living in the city is good for Londoners. For more details on CPRE London activities and campaigns visit our website www.cprelondon.org.uk
(4)The report will be launched at an event at the House of Lords on Tuesday 13 September, hosted by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb. Speakers include Lord Rogers of Riverside; Bob Blackman MP for Harrow East, and member of the House of Commons Select Committee: Communities and Local Government; Leonie Cooper, Chair of London Assembly Environment Committee and Councillor Jackie Wren, Tandridge District Council.
