A report, published today, shows how government housing and planning policies have led to an unprecedented scale of threat to London’s Green Belt The London Green Belt Council and CPRE London have published a joint report “‘Safe Under Us?’ An investigation into widespread threats from housebuilding in the London Metropolitan Green Belt” The report shows that government policies and sanctions appear to be forcing councils to release Green Belt land for development. 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 likely to … Read more

London Green Belt Council has responded to DCLG’s consultation on proposed changes to the NPPF, setting out its concerns about the gradual erosion of Green Belt protection.  We worry that reference to starter homes on Green Belt land is the thin end of the wedge which will give developers and land-bankers arguments to grab yet more of the Green Belt, even while other developable land is available. You can read our full response here, with its covering letter here. … Read more

On 6th October 2014 DCLG issued a Press Release announcing changes to Planning Guidance on Housing and economic land availability assessments.  In the Press Release the Secretary of State said:  This government has been very clear that when planning for new buildings, protecting our precious green belt must be paramount. Local people don’t want to lose their countryside to urban sprawl, or see the vital green lungs around their towns and cities to unnecessary development. To see the Press Release, which contains a link to the Guidance revision, click here As we considered that the revision to the Guidance should be … Read more

Our Vice-Chairman, Ray Liffen, has produced a video of Queen Mary’s Park in Carshalton-on-the-Hill. The park is in Green Belt and, in addition to lovely shots of the park in autumn, the video shows just how effective the Green Belt can be in bringing real countryside close in to London.  To see the video, click here … Read more