This week, the Housing Secretary announced the next step in the Government’s long-term plan for housing, announcing a package of measures to ensure more homes are built where they are needed most – in our inner cities – helping to protect the Green Belt and countryside.
In December, the Housing Secretary announced immediate major reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, which meant councils will not longer be forced to set aside prime greenbelt land to meet future housing targets.
The Government is now taking the next step in their long-term plan for housing by taking a brownfield first approach to deliver thousands of new homes where people want to live and work, without concreting over the countryside.
The new brownfield presumption will tackle under delivery in our key towns and cities – where new homes are most needed to support jobs and drive growth.
These steps will also support brownfield development more widely, by making clear to every local authority in England, including Hertsmere, that they need to be more flexible in approving planning applications on brownfield land.
These steps will not alter the existing protections nor amend other relevant policies on the character of suburban neighbourhoods.
Oliver Dowden MP said: “It is important that our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities to buy their own homes that previous generations have enjoyed. However, this must not be at the expense of what makes our area so special.
Across Hertsmere, we are privileged to experience real natural beauty around our towns and villages, and we must not allow this to be lost to urban sprawl.”
Oliver added: “Having long campaigned for further protections for our green belt, I am pleased that the Government is taking the next step in their long-term plan for housing, announcing a package of measures to ensure more homes get built where are needed most – in our inner cities – helping to protect the Green Belt and countryside.
By building on the changes made in December through the National Planning Policy Framework, these new measures will protect our precious countryside and build more in urban areas where demand is highest. This will see more new housing in the hearts of our cities, rather than the unnecessary tarmacking over our green open spaces here in Hertsmere.”
To find out further information on this announcement, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/build-on-brownfield-now-gove-tells-underperforming-councils
