Grey belt homes policy 'threat to countryside'

MOST of the homes Labour wants to be built on "grey belt" land will actually be set in unspoilt countryside, a charity has warned.

- BY STEPH SPYRO Environment Editor

The government's definition of grey belt includes land on the edge of existing settlements or roads, as well as old petrol stations and car parks.

But the countryside charity CPRE warned that the designation poses an "existential threat" to the protection of the green belt.

CPRE chief Roger Mortlock said: "In practice, the government's 'grey belt' policy has not been about building on petrol stations but is an existential threat to the protections of the green belt.

"Our latest research shows that the policy is vague, subjective and misleading to the public. Its lack of clarity has been good news for large housebuilders but bad news for everyone who loves the countryside.

"We know from CPRE branches across the country that the situation is getting worse, as local authorities are so desperate to meet revised housing targets that they are forced to approve speculative development in the green belt."