The Green Belt has been criticized for discouraging new home development
The government should develop the Green Belt to provide the UK with homes that he needs, a group of business lobbyists said.
The Independent Business Network warned that “owning a home is fast becoming a dream for many” unless drastic measures are taken.
>The Green Belt, created after World War II to curb urban sprawl, was estimated to cover about 16,158 km2 of land in March 2020.
While the zone still has staunch defenders, it has also come under fire for discouraging new home development.
A report by the Independent Business Network called for “ global analysis of the impact of the green belt on housing construction and economic growth in the UK.
The panel, chaired by John Longworth, a businessman and Brexiteer, said it was time to consider whether the green belt was up to the mark. government and local authorities to protect open spaces to preserve, prevent urban sprawl and provide green spaces for local residents, it should also examine the implications of such restrictions on planning and business opportunities,” the report says.
“It is reasonable and prudent to examine how the green belt has affected housing planning and prices, as well as economic growth, and to find out if policy changes or new policies are required to meet the challenges of today, both in relation to housing and protection green space.”
The report claims that when the green belt was first introduced, it was “intended to work with economic growth” but is now “a direct impediment to growth and urban development.”“Most of the green belt is heavily farmed, approximately 66 percent, and is closed to the general public, with a significant portion under private ownership,” the report said. “Therefore, the benefit of public access to the green belt is highly questionable.”
In addition to conducting the review, the report argues that in areas with “inadequate land supply”, councils “should be able to sustainably redefine local green belts, so that they can meet this demand.” It says this could include “allowing limited development around existing transportation infrastructure networks.”
The report also argues for relaxing planning restrictions on green belt lands that have already been developed.
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In an interview with The Telegraph last month, Lisa Nandy, shadow secretary for leveling up, vowed to lift the green belt 'taboo' by saying Labor would order councils to find 'low-quality parts' for homes.
The Conservatives Rishi Sunaka meanwhile pledged to defend the green belt.
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