A CALL has been made for the Government to introduce a scheme to help ‘save the greenbelt’ in Bromsgrove.
Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas has called on the government to allow councils to count empty long-term properties brought back into use towards their housing target.
Mr Thomas questioned the government on its long-term empty homes policy in the House of Commons on Monday (October 13).
The MP has claimed the district’s greenbelt is under threat as a result of the Government’s decision to increase the district’s housing target by 85 per cent.
Mr Thomas said: “Bringing long-term properties back into use should count towards a council’s housing target, therefore reducing Government pressure to build on the greenbelt.
“Bringing a property back into use is no different from a new home being built, but frustratingly Government doesn’t see it this way.
“It’s a common-sense approach that would see houses brought back into use in the right locations. I urge the Government to get on and to implement this policy.”
Mr Thomas has previously launched a petition calling for the government to scrap the increase in Bromsgrove’s housing target.
The Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, Samantha Dixon MP, said: “Local authorities have a number of powers to deal with empty homes.
“The Honourable Member raises an interesting point, which I will take away and consider with officials.”
Visit www.bradleythomas.org.uk to sign the petition.
