Majority of ‘grey belt’ properties to be constructed on unspoilt countryside | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Most of the properties set to be constructed on Labour’s gray belt will likely be constructed on unspoilt countryside, a charity has warned.

The authorities’s definition of gray belt consists of land on the sting of current settlements or roads, in addition to outdated petrol stations and automotive parks.

But the countryside charity CPRE warned the designation poses an “existential threat” to the protections of the inexperienced belt.

Roger Mortlock, CPRE chief govt, stated: “In practice, the government’s ‘grey belt’ policy has not been about building on petrol stations but 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.”

The CPRE said that since the policy was introduced in December 2024, 13 developments of ten or more homes have been approved by government planning inspectors on grey belt land in the Green Belt.

The approvals have been granted over the heads of local councils.

Of the 1,250 homes these schemes will deliver, 88% will be built on previously undeveloped countryside.

These developments make up more than 90% of homes granted planning permission on grey belt sites by inspectors. A further 21 smaller schemes, totalling no more than 91 homes, comprise the remainder.

Approval was granted for 57 houses on some of the country’s best-quality farmland, in Tonbridge, Kent.

Meanwhile in Castle Point, Essex, 47 houses have been granted planning permission on a designated local wildlife site.

Both examples comprise green belt land now considered grey belt, the CPRE said.

Emma Marrington, CPRE policy lead, said: “The Green Belt is the countryside subsequent door for nearly 30 million individuals on this nation. As effectively as having a few of the nation’s best-quality farmland and most necessary wildlife habitats, these locations round our largest cities and cities play a significant position in serving to to ship the federal government’s goal of 30% of land protected for nature by 2030.

“We’ve got to stand up for England’s green belt. Once it’s lost, it’s lost for good.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in April 2024 described gray belt land as “poor-quality scrubland, mothballed on the outskirts of town”, in addition to beforehand developed land akin to disused petrol stations and automotive parks.

He promised: “We’ll prioritise ugly, disused grey belt land, and set tough new conditions for releasing that land.”

The Government has been contacted for remark.