Labour’s housing policy includes green belt development
A Labour minister has acknowledged that new homes will be constructed on green belt land under government plans to relax planning policy, reports BritPanorama.
Thousands of new homes are set to be built around transport hubs in England as part of proposals announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. These plans include the use of green belt land, which Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed on Monday.
“In exceptional circumstances, green belt land should be developed on,” he stated during an interview with Sky News. “These are sustainable locations for development.”
Pennycook emphasized the need for new housing to support economic growth. “We want to see new homes built on them to bolster economic growth to get development in the right places,” he added.
He further explained that decisions to develop on the protected land will adhere to “golden rules,” including high rates of affordable housing and the provision of new green spaces.
The green belt encompasses areas across England that are rigorously protected from development, intended to curtail urban sprawl. Fourteen distinct green belts form a perimeter around several major cities. Changes introduced by Labour in 2024 have already allowed local councils to designate “low-quality” green belt land as “grey belt,” making it easier to develop, particularly for housing.
The government’s recent amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) establish a “default yes” for homes located within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, including areas classified as green belt.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner commented on the updates, stating: “A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work.”
In elaborating on the government’s objectives, Rayner said, “By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.”
The NPPF serves as the government’s primary planning guide for England, directing local councils and developers in their construction endeavors. The move to ease regulations was initially introduced during Sir Keir Starmer’s administration, aiming to revitalize the government’s faltering target of 1.5 million new homes.
In response to the recent announcement, Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly criticized the Labour government, asserting that it seeks to seize control from local communities and impose development in unsuitable areas. “Labour’s planning power grab is exposing our green belt and countryside to unauthorised Traveller sites, and ministers are turning a blind eye,” he remarked.
Conversely, think tank Centre for Cities expressed support for the initiative, deeming it crucial for growth and productivity. Chief Executive Andrew Carter stated, “A default ‘yes’ to homes near stations is a vital reform that opens up space for high numbers of homes to be built in the long term, all of them well connected to jobs in major cities.”
Carter also noted that the current green belts surrounding major cities have historically hindered development along critical commuter routes, and allowing building around stations will enable significant development while minimally impacting green belt areas.
