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.

We have written letters of objection to two applications for unjustified development in the Green Belt. One is for a development of up to 476 houses west of Cuffley in Hertfordshire.  The text of our letter is here The other proposal is for a Dementia Care Community on a site adjoining Harefield hospital in Hillingdon Borough.  The developers argue that very special circumstances exist because there would be synergies between the work done at the hospital and the work of the Hospital.  We consider that the argument is not well founded.  The text of our letter is here

Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood, a constituency including part of the Bristol Green Belt, has convened an All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Green Belt.   It held its first substantive meeting on 15th July 2013, when the Planning Minister, Nick Boles MP, made a short statement and responded to members questions.  Mr Boles was at pains to stress that Ministers were of the view that changes to Green Belt boundaries should only take place in the course of a local plan review where they would be subject to public comment and independent examination.   He referred to a case in Castle Point … Read more