Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] are today (Friday) publishing new figures [2] showing the huge price the West Midlands would pay for the big increase in housing development which the Government is seeking to force on the Regional Assembly.

As things stand, just over 3,500 extra dwellings per year would be provided on greenfield sites across the region over the next 20 years.

But CPRE estimates that the massive hike in housing figures which the Assembly is considering could mean the rate of greenfield development climbing to well over 5,000 houses per year.  And if the Government imposes still higher figures (the ‘worst case scenario’, see notes below) up to 7,000 dwellings a year could be built on green fields, nearly double the current planned rate. 

And housing is only part of the story.  With new housing would come new roads and associated infrastructure, such as schools, shops and community facilities. This means more cars, noise, lights and pollution, all of which would add to the loss of countryside.

Moreover, such very high figures would also put large areas of designated Green Belt [3] round our major cities at risk for the first time.  CPRE estimates that between 25,000 and 35,000 dwellings would be likely to be built in the Green Belt over the next 20 years, removing about 3 square miles of countryside from Green Belt protection.

Areas hardest hit by greenfield housing development would include:

• Solihull;

• much of Shropshire and Herefordshire;

• East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Stafford;

• Rugby, Warwick, Nuneaton and Bedworth;

• Worcester, Wychavon and Redditch.

Parts of the Green Belt would be lost to development in many of those areas.

Peter Langley, Vice Chairman of CPRE West Midlands, said:

‘This is an exorbitant price to pay for the Government’s speculative housing figures.  They say they want brownfield sites used first and have recently reaffirmed support for the Green Belt [4].  But if the hike in housing numbers is pushed through, these objectives will be fatally undermined, giving way to another wave of urban sprawl, outward migration and long-distance commuting, the very last thing the West Midlands needs.’

Kate Gordon, CPRE’s Senior Planner said:

‘We sympathise with the Government’s aspiration to provide more affordable homes of high environmental standards [5].  However that does not just mean responding to hypothetical and speculative demand. We need to be sure the scale of development is genuinely needed, is built in the most suitable locations, and that the environment has the capacity to accommodate it.’

CPRE say it is not too late for the Regional Assembly to adopt a more balanced view and sign up to a level of housing growth that can be largely contained within existing urban areas [6].

– END –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England.  We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside.  Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county.  President: Bill Bryson.  Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

The Existing Regional Spatial Strategy

167,000 extra dwellings to be provided over 14 years (11,930 per year), of which just under 50,000 (3,570 per year) would be on greenfield sites.

As far as is known, none would be built in the Green Belt.

Figures now under consideration by the West Midlands Regional Assembly

338,000 extra dwellings to be provided over 20 years (16,930 per year) – an increase of over 40% on current planned building rates.

Between 100,000 and 120,000 (5,000-6,000 per year) of the new dwellings on greenfield sites.

Up to 25,000 (1,250 per year) of these new dwellings in the Green Belt.

The worst case scenario

380,000 extra dwellings to be provided over 20 years (19,000 per year) – an increase of 60% on current planned building rates.

Between 115,000 and 140,000 (5,750 – 7,000 per year) of the new dwellings on greenfield sites.

Up to 35,000 (1,750 per year) of these new dwellings in the Green Belt.

3. CPRE West Midlands’ recently published report What Price West Midlands Green Belt? critically examines the role Green Belts have played and should play in the planning of the region.

4. On 10 July, 2007, the following was published on Number 10’s official website: ‘Asked if the Prime Minister could gives assurances that Green Belt land would stay as Green Belt land as more housing developments were expected to be announced tomorrow, the PMS replied that we could give that assurance. We were not proposing any changes to the very robust protections to Green Belt land.

5. Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable, Green Paper, July 2007.

6. It is understood that the Assembly’s Regional Planning Partnership is due to take key decisions on the planning strategy on 24 September.