“Profound flaw” in planning policy means building on greenfield sites is “no brainer” for developers
A profound flaw at the heart of current planning policy is behind the unprecedented drive for largescale building developments in rural areas in the south east, says CPRE Sussex, the countryside charity.
Join CPRE Sussex’s free webinar starting 4pm on Monday (June 7) – explaining the current planning system and giving advice on how to get your views heard.
CPRE Sussex has slammed plans for a 3,000-house new town at East Chiltington and says it is simply not needed and would devastate a huge area. The proposed scheme is the largest in the whole of East Sussex.
CPRE Sussex director Kia Trainor said: “There is a fundamental flaw in current planning policy that makes undesignated countryside in the whole of the south east vulnerable and under attack. We are at the mercy of developers who stand to make huge profits by getting planning permission for building on greenfield sites. What makes it even more galling is that local housing needs could be met by building on brownfield sites or by developing the many sites that already have planning permission and are sitting idle. There are many sites in the Lewes district - especially Newhaven – that are crying out for regeneration and where people would welcome new, affordable housing.
“We are in an era of massive ecological crisis but crucially flawed elements of current planning policy are almost encouraging developers to eye up greenfield sites in order to maximise profits.”
John Kay, the CPRE’s representative for Lewes, says that housing need is actually decreasing in the area. “It’s simple demographics – in this area, we’re dying faster than we’re being born. Schemes like the Eton new town are blatant attempts to exploit planning policy for maximum gain. Large scale developments like this – on greenfield sites in the middle of nowhere – will do nothing to meet local housing needs.
“The bitter irony of all this is that the Government has been urging builders to develop brownfield sites and to build in places where people can use public transport – but current policy almost guarantees exactly the opposite outcome. It focuses new development on profitable, car-dependent sites in the countryside. To be honest, why would developers even consider brownfield sites when they can make so much more on greenfield sites? It’s a no brainer for them.”
CPRE Sussex added that many MPs – led by former Prime Minister Teresa May – are becoming increasingly aware of the flaws and dangers of the current planning system. They plan to rebel against the forthcoming Planning Bill which will has been dubbed a “free for all for developers.”
CPRE Sussex is joining forces with the High Weald AONB Partnership to host a free webinar this coming Monday (June 7) for everyone concerned about planning developments in their local area. The webinar will explain the current planning system and give people advice on how to get their views and concerns heard. CPRE Sussex and Don’t Urbanise the Downs are urging everyone concerned about the Eton development to sign up. The webinar runs from 4pm to 6pm on Monday (June 7) – click here for more info.