Protected green belts around cities ‘must be built on to tackle housing crisis’, experts claim
For years the sites have been left free to prevent urban sprawl between towns and cities, but not planning authorities claim they must be built on
Greenfield sites and green belt land should be built on to tackle the current housing crisis, experts have urged.
The Royal Town Planning Institute has called for the Government to take a fresh approach when considering the locations for new house builds.
The organisation claimed that while previously-developed brownfield sites in urban areas should continue to play a vital role in offering space for housing, a lack of funding could limit a "brownfield first" policy.
The sites often require additional investment, such as extra cash to treat contaminated land, and only building on the already viable houssites would not meet the country's housing needs, the Institute claimed.
It warned that these housing needs will only be met by building on the empty greenfield land surrounding towns and cities.
RTPI president Phil Williams: "'Brownfield first' can only work with accompanying public investment.
"Without government help in de-risking and making ready brownfield sites with upfront infrastructure, many sites will never come on stream.
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"This is not a crude green light that says 'build on the green belt', but we need a new approach to enable greenfield sites and green belt sites to be regarded more positively by local authorities, politicians and communities.
"As a society we need to look at the countryside and green belts beyond their recreational and aesthetic appeal, and assess how they can help to shape urban change in the most equitable way.