Local issues

LET'S STOP GARDEN GRABBING

I have obtained new statistics which show that 46% of new homes in Dorset are being built on former back gardens.  Under present planning rules, because gardens are classed as brownfield sites – just like a derelict factory or railway siding – they are subject to a presumption in favour of development.  This means that it is difficult for local councils to refuse planning permission without the risk that their decision is overturned by the Planning Inspectorate, which enforces Government planning policy.  This loophole has led to mature family homes being demolished and replaced by apartment blocks and car parks covering the whole footprint of the site – house and garden included.

I am therefore calling on the Government to remove garden land from brownfield definition as I am concerned at the scale of residential development on garden land, recognising that the density and speed of such development can cause irreparable damage to neighbourhood character and cohesion. 

The loss of garden land can threaten urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability in towns and cities.  Garden land development, in fact, rarely exceed the threshold at which affordable housing must be provided.  For wider home-ownership to become a reality, we have to recognise that the debate on housing is not about whether we need more homes or not for it is quite clear that more properties need to be built.  However, the argument should be about where these new homes should be built, and to what standard. I believe that we need to take a fresh look at the planning system to ensure that it delivers high-quality, environmentally sustainable homes in the right places.

I want to ensure that our planning system better protects our precious green spaces, from the gardens that provide so much biodiversity in our towns and cities to the wonderful countryside that surrounds our urban areas. We need a system that robustly protects those sites with genuine environmental and scenic value. Alongside that we also need to champion regeneration of the areas in which communities can grow organically in a way that is responsive to local people.