Green and pleasant land...Sir Keir would make it less green and much less pleasant

SIR Keir Starmer was yesterday accused of "declaring war" on the countryside after he announced plans to build on the green belt if he ever gets into power.

- Sam Lister

The Labour leader claimed he will push down house prices by boosting the supply of homes.

But Conservatives warned the opposition party will cause "grave environmental harm" by allowing building to take place on previously protected areas.

Sir John Hayes said: "It is vitally important that we don't allow towns and cities to sprawl into the countryside.

"The lyrics to Jerusalem talk of England's green and pleasant land.

Keir Starmer would make it less green and much less pleasant." Fellow Tory MP James Daly said: "Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have declared war on the green belt.

"His contempt for those such as Bury folk in my constituency, who want to preserve much-needed and beautiful areas of countryside, is clear for all to see.

"If you want this country to still have green fields then it is clear that Starmer must be kept out of power."

Sprawl

Former cabinet minister Therese Villiers said Labour had "torn up years of cross-party consensus" and warned: "Allowing development on green belt land will cause grave environmental harm and could see urban sprawl out into our countryside."

She added: "If people want to save the green belt and save the suburbs, they need to vote against Labour at the next election."