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Publication type: General
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Dear Sadiq,
Re: Release of Green Belt via Local Plans
Constituents and community groups from across London, as well as CPRE London, have contacted me as they are deeply concerned about the potential release of Green Belt through Local Plans currently being drafted by some local authorities.
On 9 June 2021, at an Extraordinary General Meeting, Enfield Council approved the Draft Enfield Local Plan 2019-2039 for statutory consultation. The documentation informing this decision said: “The preferred Spatial Option also carries a number of challenges. The option is contrary to London Plan policy regarding green belt.”1 This Spatial Option includes a new housing development on Enfield Chase, a former royal hunting ground and deer park, and more broadly on Rural Enfield.2
Meanwhile Hounslow Council has submitted its draft Local Plan to the Planning Inspector. This Plan includes policies that say it: “would result in approximately 558ha (45 per cent) of the borough’s current area of Green Belt being removed from this designation."3 While it
proposes that much of this should be re-designated as Metropolitan Open Land, I do not believe this has met the provisions of Chapter 13, paragraph 136 of the NPPF which sets out the Government’s approach to protecting Green Belt land, and states that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified.
Much of the justification and evidence for releasing Green Belt in Hounslow appears to be to provide land for the ancillary businesses to support expansion of Heathrow, which is also in contravention of the new London Plan.
While I was heartened by your robust and positive response regarding protection of the Green Belt in Mayor’s Question Time on 24 June 2021, I am concerned that not all London’s Councils are aligned with your view.
I believe Londoners and Councils need a very clear formal statement from you that you will never accept non-exceptional Green Belt erosion. Therefore, could I ask you to write to all Councils in London with a clear message that you will not support any inappropriate de- or re-designation of Green Belt.
I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Sian Berry
Green Party Member of the London Assembly
cc Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills
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