Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement to change paragraph 154g of the current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to better support the sustainable development of Previously Developed Land (PDL) in the Green Belt.
Bartek Staniszewski, Head of Research at Bright Blue, commented:
“After having called for it in numerous articles and appearances, I am delighted that the Government has finally officially committed to unlocking Green Belt development. Facilitating development on the Green Belt is one of the most important things that the Government could possibly do to fix the English housing market. Many of the most expensive cities in this country – London, Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol – are enveloped by a Green Belt far larger than themselves. Building homes there will go a long way to making housing in said cities more accessible and affordable.
“What is more, the environment does not have to lose out. As research has continually shown, development in some areas of the Green Belt – about 4% of which is PDL, enough for about a million new homes – can vastly enhance biodiversity.”
Bright Blue called for the Government to relax development restrictions on low-value Green Belt land if the resultant development produces a substantial net biodiversity gain in our report, Global green giant? A policy story.
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Ryan Shorthouse at ryan@brightblue.org.uk or on 077999 70148.
- Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for defending and improving liberal society.
- Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.
Our advisory council can be found here. We also have over 100 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations.
[Image: Jonathan Thacker]
