Development
Insights Edition 2 • Summer 2024
Development Our national Property Development capability is underpinned by the fact that it comprises an integrated team of regional specialists, located strategically across our nationwide network of offices. Our focus is always on ensuring clients optimise the asset value of their investments and realise their financial and strategic goals. We provide our clients with a comprehensive and holistic service designed to support them throughout the lifecycle of the development - from inception to completion.
Preserving Green Belt Land: Balancing Necessity and Innovation The Green Belt, a government policy designed to safeguard designated green fields across the country, has played a crucial role in curbing urban sprawl, protecting natural habitats, and preserving biodiversity. Despite its positive impact, it is not without its drawbacks. In the face of today’s housing crisis, the Green Belt restriction appears increasingly outdated, potentially hindering future generations of homeowners.
The Numbers and the Challenge
A New Approach?
18% or 628,512 acres (254,350 hectares) of the total land in the North West (20212022 figures) is Green Belt, but as the map demonstrates it is highly concentrated around the urban areas. The challenge it presents is that these urban areas, are where the demand for new housing is highest and struggling to meet the needs of their growing populations.
Can we strike a balance between habitat protection and development? Perhaps. The Labour Party’s proposal to assess areas of “Green Belt land which makes a limited contribution to the Green Belt’s purposes” and rebrand them as ‘Grey Belt’ seems promising. A rigorous evaluation of each plot based on its merits and potential benefits could guide future decisions. While some land must remain undeveloped, a nuanced approach could create thriving communities and garden villages, offering purposeful living spaces for future generations.
To Build or Not to Build? The UK is grappling with a severe housing shortage. New home completions fall far short of requirements, property values outpace wages, and affordable housing remains scarce. Urgent action is necessary to address these pressing issues. While the Green Belt contains ecologically low-quality areas, their loss may not significantly impact local habitats or public access to natural spaces. Many existing green fields are privately owned and lack public rights of access. Releasing land for development could alleviate housing shortages and provide accessible public open spaces. All developments require integrated open spaces as well as increasing biodiversity by at least 10% through Biodiversity Net Gain.
Preserving Our Green Fields
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Conserving green fields is undeniably beneficial. As a nation, we face one of Europe’s most depleted natural biodiversity landscapes, and Green Belt designations play a vital role in curbing excessive development. Urban sprawl threatens our natural habitat, and protective measures are essential to prevent the loss of green spaces, their natural resources, flood safeguarding and the diverse wildlife they harbour.
Map source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/localauthority-green-belt-statistics-for-england-2022-to-2023/localauthority-green-belt-england-2022-23-statistical-release Licences: Open Government Licence (https://www. nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ version/1/open-government-licence.htm), Open Copyright Licence