Following our report on the threat to Britain’s rural heritage and the Green Belt through the ConDem Government’s proposals to liberalise the planning laws in favour of their billionaire chums in the building industry, we have been contacted by Amanda Papadopoulos, the local co-ordinator for the Campaign to Protect Rural England‘s branch in Tandridge, which borders Croydon to the south.
She writes: “In Tandridge, the council has made it clear that they will only build on Green Belt if brownfield is not available.”
“Only” build on Green Belt? Even the prospect of considering such proposals seems like the worst sort of Philistinism.
Papadopoulos continues by outlining the flaw with the new planning proposals. “The problem is that it is up to developers to make brownfield available, and when they see the possibility of cheap Green Belt, they will push this option in favour of brownfield.
“So Green Belt development is leading to a disincentive for brownfield regeneration. We are by no means safe from Green Belt development although it hasn’t happened in our area yet.”
Papadopoulos says the best way to stop Green Belt development is to take part in Croydon’s Local Development Framework consultation. She recommends this link: “You can sign up for further information if you wish and there are also links to other groups in the area.”
Related articles
- Don’t let this government destroy our precious Green Belt (insidecroydon.com)
- Rural U-turn is essential (telegraph.co.uk)
- Hands Off Our Land: timeline of the controversy (telegraph.co.uk)
- Further urban sprawl solves nothing | Editorial (guardian.co.uk)
