Sustain member CPRE is urging supporters to join a last-ditch protest against planning law changes that could bury green and fertile land under tarmac
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England has been campaigning for months against what it sees as a steady erosion of the regulations that protect green spaces and give local people a fair say in development plans.
They are now asking supporters to write to their MPs once again, while there is still time to influence the guidance that is being drawn up. In particular, the CPRE wants to see a clear commitment to a Green Belt policy that protects the countryside, and a provision that would make building on suitable brownfield land in urban areas a priority before building on greenfield land.
The Government’s continuous reforms to planning have focused on making it easier for developers to get planning permission to build homes wherever they want. The result has been an increase in planning applications in the countryside and Green Belt. CPRE research has shown that there is already enough land with planning permission for 650,000 new homes, so there is no need to sacrifice the countryside.
Land that has the potential to grow food should be protected from development, especially near towns and cities, which need food from local sources.
Join the protest here and read more on Sustain's policies for Sustainable Cities here.
Published Friday 13 May 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
