The Leader of St Albans City & District Council has criticised the government’s ‘grey belt’ reforms.
Recently, the government introduced a reform to the planning system which identified the grey belt. This is green belt land which has been previously developed or “does not strongly contribute” to the green belt’s objectives.
Councillor Paul De Kort said: “The government’s definition has fundamentally damaged the ability of local planning authorities to protect large swathes of the green belt from speculative development.
“It no longer only relates to previously developed land. Now, many more potential sites fit the government’s extremely broad new definition. Effectively it is a Trojan horse that explodes previous green belt protection in many parts of our district.”
Cllr De Kort said the council has now prepared a Local Plan, which is needed to restore protection for local green areas.
He added: “We are now straining every sinew to provide the support needed to get it through the government’s inspection as fast as possible.”
Photo credit: St Albans City and District Council
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