It looks like Government plans to alter the green belt radically, this will not be seen as being a good and radical plan by Councils surrounding this particular conurbation. Areas like South Staffs District Council would be under severe pressure from developers.
Green belt planning changes won’t benefit locals
Government plans to lift restrictions on building on green belt land have been criticised as a “gimmick” that will only benefit wealthy urban migrants. The proposals suggest extending rural exception sites to include first-time buyer homes, to be sold at a 20% discount to local people aged under 40.
Green Party housing spokesman Tom Chance said even with the discount the homes would be unaffordable for many in rural communities while others expressed concern that the homes would ultimately become available to outsiders.
The Times describes the policy as discriminatory, complaining that people priced out of London’s gentrified districts never receive such sympathy from the government, while Country Life editor Clive Aslet said the Conservatives “appear to be much more driven by market forces than a willingness to preserve the green belt.”
