'War on rural England' - National Planning Policy Framework overhaul to 'concrete' over the greenbelt for housing

"Our countryside will remain needlessly under threat"

Chris Brayford
clock • 6 min read
Roger Mortlock, chief executive at the Countryside Charity, said: "Local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality greenbelt and farmland."
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Roger Mortlock, chief executive at the Countryside Charity, said: "Local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality greenbelt and farmland."

Labour has announced changes to planning laws which could see 1.5 million homes being built across the UK, despite concerns that greenbelt land will be 'sacrificed' as a result. The Department of Housing,...

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