Following a written Ministerial statement today (Wednesday) by the Minister for Decentralisation, Greg Clark MP, on the Government decision to remove gardens from the definition of brownfield land and to scrap minimum housing density standards  Shaun Spiers, CPRE Chief Executive, says:

“One of the biggest yet unsung environmental successes of recent years has been the regeneration of many of our urban areas, which has also saved vast swathes of countryside from unnecessary development.  Brownfield targets and density standards have been instrumental in protecting valuable countryside, preventing urban sprawl and regenerating inner cities.

To make these changes now could undermine the sustainable use of land and leave the English countryside under the threat of sprawling new development.”

“We support powers being returned to local people and many of the new Governments proposals for planning. But it is essential to have a robust national policy framework which gives a clear steer that development should be focused on brownfield land and that this should be used efficiently. By stripping out this guidance Ministers risk a policy vacuum that puts our countryside at risk.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. CPRE supports the Government’s aspiration to return planning powers to communities but is concerned about the unintentional impacts of some of these changes. The national target has protected swathes of England’s countryside from unnecessary development. Medium to high density living has also been shown to reduce domestic carbon emissions and improve social interactions. In 2009, on a provisional estimate:

• 80 per cent of dwellings (including conversions) were built on previously-developed land, an increase from 56 per cent in 1997.

• new dwellings were built at an average density of 45 dwellings per hectare (dph). This has risen from an average of 25 dph in 1997.

Communities and Local Government (May 2010) Land Use Change Statistics (England) 2009 - provisional estimates (May 2010), http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/lucs2009provisionalmay

2. Contrary to the claims of some, housing at medium densities does not inevitably result in oppressive high rise flats in concrete jungles - Georgian and Victorian squares – at about 80dph – shows that higher-density family housing can be extremely desirable. The Staiths South Bank development in Gateshead used intelligent design to provide homes for families, couples and lone households which include plenty of private and communal garden space.’ CPRE (April 2008) The Power of Concentration, http://www.cpre.org.uk/filegrab/FamilyHousing-thePowerofConcentration.CPREreport.pdf?ref=3515

3. 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