Following the data released by the Campaign to Protect Rural England on building on green belt land, Andy Scott, the chairman and founder of RelCap, a London based property development company, wants to call out local councils who’s outdated plans are preventing affordable housing to be built because of the lack of understanding on the term ‘protected green belt land.’
Scott says: “The balance between protecting green belt land and delivering government housing targets is one that has always divided opinion. Yet, the misunderstanding and simplification of the term ‘protected green belt land’ is arguably the source of this contention. Despite the data released on Monday (6th August), only 0.02% of green belt land has been built on for residential purpose thanks to existing protections that are in place.
“If we are to deliver much needed homes, a pragmatic approach must be taken. Councils are working on ancient local plans which are incorrectly marking settlement boundaries that are in turn preventing any proposed developments receiving the green light. Councils aren’t using any common sense and are rejecting permission of developments that would finish the vernacular of a street scene with no harm, or a valuable windfall site for the council.”
