By Giuseppe De Santis
Despite the fervent opposition from local communities, the Labour government is pushing ahead with the construction of numerous houses on Green Belt land across the UK, citing the need to accommodate the massive influx of immigrants.
One proposal is to construct 135 homes on Green Belt land next to the gates of Prince Edward’s expansive estate. The proposed development in Bagshot, Surrey, was blocked last year. However, following an appeal by developers, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor intervened, and the development was given the go-ahead.
With the addition of approximately 500 new residents, there are valid concerns that local GPs, schools, and public transport will be under significant strain.
The plans for the site on Grove End, located between the A332 and A30, were submitted to Surrey Heath Council by Somerston Development Projects Ltd in November 2023.
Developers proposed at least 68 affordable homes, including 17 designated for first-time buyers and 51 for socially affordable or intermediate-rented properties.
Despite the potential growth of Basghot’s population by at least ten per cent, around 500 people, the site did not feature any new doctors’ surgeries or shops.
With substantial objections, including local anger over using Green Belt land for development, the Surrey Heath Borough Council’s Planning Committee stood in solidarity with the community and rejected the plans. The Committee argued that the plans ‘undermined’ the Council’s goal of developing only brownfield sites.
However, in an extraordinary turn of events, the Planning Inspectorate, a government body responsible for making decisions on planning appeals, appointed by Ms Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, accepted an appeal from the developers, and the plans were approved.
Planning Inspector Mrs Nicholls explained the decision, which followed two site visits in January and two meetings, one of which was virtual. She revealed that not only had the plans been approved, but the site, previously classified as Green Belt, has now been reclassified as ‘Grey Belt.’ This designation means the land was either previously developed or is considered low-quality Green Belt land, which opens the door for further development.
This attack on the Green Belt is the reality under a Labour government—the wishes of local people count for nothing. Development decisions are imposed on local communities, and nothing is likely to change, as none of the three main parties will take action to stop this.
Only the British Democrats, a political party that will prevent any further permanent settlement of migrants in the UK, can end this chaos by implementing our commonsense policies so we won’t have to cover our countryside with concrete.
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