Thousands of new green belt homes must be stopped, warns MP

Britain’s green belt land is under threat, the Conservative MP for Croydon South has warned.

Chris Philp (pictured) insists that plans to build 5,600 new homes on Croydon’s green belt must be stopped.

The London Plan has set the 5,600 target as part of plans to build new housing developments on an area between Croydon and New Addington.

Green belt

Philp says: “The green character of the suburban and semi-rural parts of Croydon is worth protecting at all costs.

“We are fortunate to have family homes, established neighborboods and large areas of green open space on our doorstep. That’s why may people choose to live here.

“The green character of the suburban and semi-rural parts of Croydon is worth protecting at all costs.”

He explains that he “strongly opposes” the plans and has launched a petition for them to be abandoned to protect Croydon’s green belt for future generations.

He acknowledges that more homes need to built in London but says there are “other places’ where new homes can be built first.

Brownfield sites

“Across London, there are brownfield sites and stalled developments that could be brought forward for housing,” he says.

“We should also be looking at higher-density development in town centres and other suitable locations where the infrastructure already exists.

“This will include places in central and inner London where building at high density is possible.”

He goes on to suggest that green belt does more than prevent urban sprawl, saying: “It protects the character of our communities, provides important habitats for wildlife and biodiversity, helps capture carbon and improve air quality, and gives local people places to walk, exercise and enjoy nature.

“Once this land is developed, we cannot simply get it back. We can build the homes London needs without sacrificing the green spaces that make this neighbourhood special.”

The petition can be signed here.