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Writer's pictureHanham Green Belt

HDGBCS Response to the "Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system" Consultation

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Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society


As a Green Belt Conservation Society, located on the East fringe of Bristol, formed in 1981, we are most concerned at the proposed revisions to the National Planning Framework and the consequences of the new Government’s proposed expansion of new Home construction.


Whilst we appreciate that there is a need for increased housing provision nationally, we are concerned that the protection of the Green Belt will be sacrificed in the race for wholesale house building.


We consider that the original, founding principles of the limited number, of designated Green Belt areas in England (only 14), established in 1947, have demonstrably served urban dwellers well, forming separate communities beyond City conurbations and providing close availability of leisure opportunities and ‘mindfulness’ environments.


Our Society and whole community fear that the drive for more housing will be purely dependent on commercial house-builders, who will be driven by their own commercial returns, rather than the actual demand for the home units required. Who will provide the social accommodation, so desperately required — family units available at social rents, integrated into communities with connective public transport within close proximity of basic amenities — schools, doctors surgeries and local shopping?


To achieve the goals of meeting the ’actual’ housing need and comply with the Climate Change agenda, more ‘vision’ is required.

The actual categories/type of accommodation required across the UK will vary, Region to Region and District by District and cannot be satisfied by a single UK-wide edit!

Housing need must be examined in greater depth to meet the ‘actual’ housing requirements of the population for now, as well as the long-term.


Satisfying an unsubstantiated housing requirement cannot be imposed on areas of open land, especially Green Belt areas, without consideration of the environment they’ll impact.


Communities need to be formed, with amenities, established transport routes, the right infrastructure and work opportunities, all essential to comply with the sustainability aspirations and international commitments, of the UK Government.


Left to others, the timescale demands for delivery of the targets currently outlined, would not be achievable — where is the required initiative for development of mixed, high density developments on ‘Brownfield’ land, which needs prioritising, but would not be considered viable by developers, who would rather build on our open fields!


The achievement of the Green Belt designation, in containing the sprawl of city urbanisation is commendable but this well planned and enforced achievement over the last 77+ years, would be lost for ever, if the current designation is fundamentally relaxed.


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Footnote:

Planning magazine has reported that "A government minister has said that the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) “may” be delayed until the new year due to the “thousands and thousands” of consultation responses received."

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