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A new report tightens protection for London’s Green Belt facing well-advanced plans for 100,000 houses – and more than double this number in the planning pipeline.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for London’s Green Belt says there’s little evidence any of these homes will be affordable for key workers, young people and young families.

This is despite the fact that there is space for well over 280,000 homes on previously developed brownfield land within Greater London alone.

Instead, the report supports the setting up of an Advisory Council to conduct a comprehensive review of London’s Green Belt and create a 25 year strategy for its future – following the objectives as set out in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan

Funding is pitched as provided on the same basis as that for National or Regional Parks, to improve the landscape, biodiversity, water retention, and the carbon sequestration abilities of the LMGB to ensure it delivers multiple benefits for local communities.

Also recommended is a review of the National Policy Planning Framework to ensure that the Green Belt is better protected from “inappropriate development”.

Findings by the APPG in its report A Positive Vision for London’s Green Belt show it not only protects against urban sprawl, it’s also the ‘countryside on the doorstep’, containing much of the capital’s natural reserves and wildlife, which is vital for Londoners to spend time in for their health and well-being.

“The APPG for London’s Green Belt was set up in response to the rapidly increasing pressure for development on Green Belt Land that has escalated over the last few years and is now reaching a crisis point, said group chair Crispin Blunt MP.

“As a society, we have to decide whether or not we value the Green Belt sufficiently to prevent its erosion and subsequent disappearance in the coming decades.

“We have chosen to focus on the positive benefits of London’s Green Belt as we want these to complement its importance as the central defence against urban sprawl.

“Once Green Belt has been developed, it is impossible to get it back again,” he said.

The report outlines the London Metropolitan Green Belt (LMGB) includes:

  • 26, 267 hectares of Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  • 5,400 hectares of local nature reserves
  • 44% of London’s Wildlife Trust sites
  • 10,000km of public rights of way
  • An area of which one quarter (24%) is designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The report’s findings highlight the value of ‘green-prescribing’ and the positive impact of the Green Belt on people’s mental health, physical well-being, local food production, and the capital’s ability to address the climate emergency, such as supporting the target’s set out in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

“At present, there is no overall organisation with responsibility for the use of land in London’s Green Belt which would be able to create a long-term strategy for its beneficial use and protection.

“We need a clear vision and strategy for London’s Green Belt to ensure it can provide its important resource for those living and working in and around London,” said Richard Knox-Johnston, Chair of the London Green Belt Council.

There have been a number of calls for a review of the Green Belt in London to be carried out, with different approaches canvassed ranging from requiring boroughs to undertake them based on assessment criteria devised by the Mayor, to the Mayor undertaking that work himself and to the identification of specific growth areas or corridors.

Planning inspectors have said if London’s development needs are to be met in future then a review of the Green Belt should be undertaken to at least establish any potential for sustainable development.

Their report on Mayor Sadiq Khan’s London Plan recommends a commitment to a Green Belt review that, given its strategic nature and to ensure consistency, should be led by the Mayor and involve joint working with councils around the administrative boundary as well as the boroughs.

This, the inspectors said, would form the basis for the Mayor to consider Green Belt release as a means to deliver housing and industrial development that cannot be accommodated in the existing built up area or in adjoining areas.