Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] are concerned that much of the region’s countryside is threatened by plans to meet unrealistically high targets for housing growth set by Government.  These plans are the subject of a region-wide consultation which closes on 30 January. [2]

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) [3] sets out new housing growth of 22,140 a year until 2026. Of this 35%, or nearly 7,800 new homes each year, would be on greenfield land.

Despite the credit crunch, and the new Plan being in force for just seven months, these figures are already being reviewed upwards with up to 30,000 new homes a year now being planned for.

The RSS Review is also considering where these new homes should go and has identified greenfield land between some of our towns and cities as possible locations.

In another departure from the published Plan, the Review suggests developing along main rail lines out of York, Leeds and Wakefield as well as between Beverley and Driffield and to the east of Brigg in north Lincolnshire.

CPRE’s Regional Policy Officer Jenny Haynes said:

‘We have grave concerns over the impact of these proposals on the countryside of Yorkshire and the Humber. With up to one million homes across the country standing empty, including 80,000 in this region alone, and repossessions happening daily, CPRE doesn’t believe it makes sense, or is realistic, to plan for such huge increases in housebuilding.

‘We are particularly worried that the Review is considering building on the gap between Leeds and Bradford and the area to the west of Sheffield. Both of these areas are within the Green Belt.

‘In addition to undermining urban regeneration in the region’s towns and cities, the new housing figures are completely unrealistic at a time when housebuilding has virtually collapsed.

‘By forcing local councils to find land for homes we believe won’t be built, many greenfield sites and Green Belt land will be allocated unnecessarily. When the market does improve developers will inevitably cherry pick these sites. Countryside will be lost forever and much needed regeneration in our towns and cities will fail to take place.’

It’s not too late for people to have their say on the plans – the public consultation runs until the end of the month.

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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. www.cpre.org.uk

2. The Housing Challenge, the Yorkshire and Humber Plan 2009 Update is available from the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly at: www.yhassembly.gov.uk and is available for consultation until 30 January 2009.

3. The Yorkshire and Humber Plan, the Regional Spatial Strategy to 2026 was published in May 2008.