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News Release 13th July 2005NEW PLANS TO BLOCK BUILDING ON GREEN BELTNew protective powers for England's Green Belts have secured cross-party support. A Private Member's Bill presented today by Mark Prisk, MP for Hertford and Stortford, and supported by Michael Fabricant will strengthen the protection of Green Belt land. Two years ago, John Prescott changed the planning rules, so Green Belt land could be developed if land elsewhere in the region replaces it. This is opening gaps in green belts, allowing development to sprawl and undermining urban renewal schemes. Michael Fabricant explains "Under Mr Prescott's changed planning guidance, the green belt separating Lichfield from Birmingham could be built upon provided that land is protected elsewhere anywhere in the whole of the west midlands region. So fields in Herefordshire could be designated 'green belt' while construction begins around Shenstone. This makes a nonsense of the principle of metropolitan green belts which were designed to encircle major cities in order to protect the countryside and stop urban sprawl outwards. This new law would protect our green heritage and ensure that Lichfield and Burntwood are not swallowed up by Birmingham as has already happened with Sutton Coldfield. "Later this year, I will be co-sponsoring a Bill which will prevent excessive development on private gardens." The Bill has support from Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs and is also backed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Mr Prisk intends to seek public support, by petition, before the Bill's second reading next year. He says "Green Belts need to be permanent both to protect the countryside and to encourage the renewal of our towns and cities". |
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