Oliver has welcomed the government’s decision to introduce new protections against building on green belt land.

Yesterday, the Housing Secretary announced a long-term plan for housing, in which he announced immediate major reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework. Following the Housing Secretary’s announcement, councils will no longer be forced to set aside prime greenbelt land to meet future housing targets.

They will also be able to prevent development taking place if it would significantly alter the character of an area or impinge on the green belt. These reforms will unlock a new generation of home building, by giving local communities, like Hertsmere, more of a say about the character and placement of new developments.

The National Planning Policy Framework will also now explicitly state that top-down housing targets are advisory not mandatory.

The Housing Secretary will also publish local authority league tables to reveal the real performance of local planning authorities to ensure there is sharper accountability and rigorous inspection.

Oliver said: ‘Here in Hertsmere, we are exceptional in that almost all the borough’s un-developed land is green belt. Until now, we have been constrained by heavy handed housing targets, which force inappropriate decisions on local councils without any consideration of our individual circumstances in Hertsmere.

I have been determined in my campaign to get the Housing Secretary to look again at its approach to planning in Hertsmere.

I am therefore delighted that the government have confirmed major reforms to the planning system, which will protect against development on green belt land. Hertsmere Borough Council will no longer be forced to set aside prime greenbelt land to meet future housing targets.

They will also be able to prevent development taking place if it would significantly alter the character of an area or impinge on the green belt. The National Planning Policy Framework will also now explicitly state that top-down housing targets are advisory not mandatory, something that I have been campaigning greatly for.'

Oliver added: 'I am disappointed, though, that Labour have said it would start reversing these planned changes to the national planning framework on day one if they were elected.

I will continue to prioritise the protection of our local countryside, which I know so many residents value.’