William Eichler 04 June 2018

Green spaces are being lost to housing at ‘alarming rate’, campaigners say

The Government’s ‘market-driven rhetoric’ is leading to the countryside being lost to housing at an ‘alarming rate’, campaigners warn.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has revealed the amount of farmland, forests, gardens and greenfield land lost to housing development each year has increased by 58% over a four year period.

Drawing on an annual report from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, CPRE found the area of ‘non-previously developed land’ lost to housing annually has risen from 2,105 hectares of land in 2013 to 3,332 hectares of land in 2017.

CPRE argues this is the result of a ‘market-driven rhetoric’ with the Government opting for a ‘build-more-at-any-cost’ approach. This has led to low density unaffordable homes being built on green spaces.

This increase has been accompanied by a growth in construction on brownfield areas. In 2016, brownfield developments were down to 28% from 41% in 2013. However, last year this increased to 44%.

‘Whilst the increase in the proportion of development taking place on brownfield land is promising, the lack of reduction in greenfield development is alarming news for those who love the countryside,’ said Rebecca Pullinger, planning campaigner at CPRE.

‘Developers are still able to force through land hungry, greenfield development even when brownfield options exist, often only benefitting their own profits.

‘Without a clear, national policy that empowers councils to refuse applications for housing on greenfield land where suitable brownfield options exist, our cherished countryside will continue to be ripped up at an alarming rate.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Legal Assistant Litigation

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a legal assistant to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Services Assistants

Durham County Council
£24,790 to £25,992 p.a. (Grade 4)
A vacancy has arisen within Transactional and Customer Services for two  Customer Services Assistant working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primar Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Litigation Lawyer

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a lawyer to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner