Just 21 councils qualify for green belt building

Planning By Design analysis found only twenty-one councils across over three hundred in England meet conditions making green belt release most likely under Labour's new planning rules.

Most are in the South East

The vast majority of the twenty-one councils are in the East and South East of England, followed by two in London and two in the West Midlands. Zero were identified in the North.

Labour aims for 300,000 homes yearly

Labour's housebuilding drive targets one point five million new homes by twenty thirty, at a rate of three hundred thousand new builds a year, with green belt release in exceptional circumstances.

Housing minister sets conditions for development

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said developments will be subject to golden rules including high rates of affordable housing and provision of new green spaces to bolster economic growth.

“We want to see new homes built on them to bolster economic growth to get development in the right places.”

Critics warn green belt won't fix affordability

Campaign to Protect Rural England chief planner Jackie Copley said building on green belt in expensive areas will do nothing to fix the housing affordability crisis and rarely includes genuinely affordable homes.

“Building on the green belt in the most expensive parts of England will do nothing to fix the housing affordability crisis.”

Government defends targeting high-cost areas

An MHCLG spokesperson said building more homes where they are least affordable is vital to tackling the housing crisis, with developments delivering more affordable housing, better infrastructure and new green spaces.

“Building more homes in the places where they are least affordable is vital to tackling the housing crisis.”