Environmental campaigners warn that Labour’s plans for green belt building could be exploited by landowners.

Some landowners could let green locations become run-down and turning into part of the ‘grey belt’, qualifying for new build, countryside charity CPRE says.

Essential to use

Labour unveiled its new policy to build one and a half million homes in five years, with a priority to use brownfield land first.

But the party says it is essential to use some land classed as green belt such as “poor-quality land, car parks and wastelands”.

Labour will not build on genuine nature spots and will set tough conditions for releasing green belt land.”

The party explains: “Labour will not build on genuine nature spots and will set tough conditions for releasing green belt land for house building so that building more homes and protecting nature go hand-in-hand.”

Labour says its approach is necessary because “after 14 years in power, the Conservatives have saddled the country with a chronic shortage of homes”.

If done badly Labour’s policy could permit landowners to run-down land for speculative development.”

But CPRE CEO Roger Mortlock (main picture) says: “’We are concerned about the rhetoric. The green belt is crucial to solving the climate, nature, and food crises and it is protected by law for a reason. This new approach must be considered against this reality.

“If done badly Labour’s policy could permit landowners to run-down land for speculative development.”

Turbocharged

In February, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said building on inner city sites would be ‘turbocharged’ under a government push to provide more homes.

Planning rules were to be given a major shake-up to ensure local councils allow more ‘brownfield’ development such as derelict and unused buildings, under the Government initiative.