POLITICAL chiefs in Bromsgrove have joined forces to warn about their fears surrounding the Labour government’s changes to the national planning policy framework.
Bradley Thomas MP and the leader of Bromsgrove District Council, councillor Karen May, are warning about possible development on green belt land following the government’s decision to impose mandatory housing targets on local councils.
Councils will be forced to review their green belt land if needed to meet targets, which includes prioritising the government’s new ‘grey belt’ category.
Grey belt land has been defined by Labour as poorer-quality green belt land, such as wastelands, former car parks, disused petrol stations and other neglected spaces.
The newly imposed mandatory housing targets means Bromsgrove District Council will have to build 704 houses a year – an extra 318 houses annually.
The Bromsgrove district is 89 per cent green belt, and Bradley Thomas MP is committed to fighting against inappropriate green belt development.
Bradley said: “The countryside underpins our identity, and as your MP I will fight against inappropriate green belt development to protect our rural way of life.
“We all accept we need more houses, but I’m clear I will only support development in the right locations, designed to the highest standards and on brownfield land first.”
“This is in stark contrast to Labour’s approach which appears to be build anywhere, on anything, and without local consent.
“With Labour imposing these new houses on us, they must provide us with the infrastructure we need to support these developments.
“I know this is something that frustrates residents the most when they see new houses going up but infrastructure isn’t there to support them.”
Labour’s new plans have instructed councils to prioritise development on brownfield land, with established grey belt land prioritised second.
And Labour’s plans state new public services and infrastructure must be introduced when building on the green belt.
“Working with Coun May, we will fight to protect our precious green belt and ensure the urban sprawl of Birmingham doesn’t encroach further on our wonderful countryside,” added Bradley.
Coun May says these new targets are being imposed on Bromsgrove without local consent or say.
“The Labour Government did not consult with Bromsgrove District Council, which means the top down target imposed on us does not take into account local circumstances – including the fact Bromsgrove is 89% green belt,” added Coun May.
“And where new houses are built, central government must provide us with the infrastructure we need to support more houses.”
