Tory plans put Green Belt in danger - Lib Dem

1.07.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Sep 2005

Tory councillors' "head in the sand" stance over housing density and not releasing four key sites for housing has put the Borough's Green Belt in real danger of being developed, says Liberal Democrat Cllr Geoff Gostt.

Following the review by the Government's Planning Inspector of Bromley's proposed new Planning regulations the Council paid consultants to prepare a report on housing sites available in the Borough for development and to suggest some key sites to meet the Government Inspector's concern over the lack of housing supply. The Consultant prepared a detailed report and recommended four sites in the centre of the Borough which would meet the Inspector's request. The Tory Members of the Development Control Committee unanimously rejected these sites and also refused to apply the density requirements of the London Plan. This brings the Borough into direct conflict with the Government and the GLA and puts at very grave risk the protection of our Green Belt.

"These decisions are very dangerous to many vulnerable sites in our Borough and it is now open house to developers wishing to build on Green Belt sites" says Cllr Geoff Gostt for the Liberal Democrats. "The Government's Planning Inspectors will now know that we intend to take no notice of their requirement for us as a Borough to meet Housing Supply shortage and will view any reasonable application by a developer that comes to Appeal as necessary to meet our Housing Needs" says Cllr Gostt. "Make no mistake, the Green Belt is in danger of development."