Why Can't We Just Build Houses on Greenbelt?

Opinion Piece (Clearly Not Data)

When it comes to building homes in your local area, opinions are often polarised. You likely fall into one of two camps: YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) or NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). This divide is evident in planning committee meetings, where community arguments are passionate and often split, regardless of whether the proposal involves a single house or a significant industrial expansion aimed at boosting employment.

This polarisation has created substantial friction within the Conservative government in recent years, leading to the abolition of house-building targets and a general reluctance to approve large-scale projects, including new prisons. Despite purchasing land for these facilities, opposition from Conservative MPs—due to NIMBY sentiments—prevented their development.

Building on greenbelt land is not the straightforward solution some imagine. Once developed, this land is lost forever, and as an island nation, our land is a precious commodity. While it's commendable that many defend greenbelt land, it’s important to understand what greenbelt actually encompasses.

Greenbelt isn’t just our national parks or the fields you see from a train. Much of the designated greenbelt land is not particularly 'green.' In reality, greenbelt is a buffer zone—land that buffers towns or villages from the countryside. The designation of greenbelt land is a planning tool used by councils and the government to prevent 'urban sprawl,' meaning to stop two towns or villages from merging.

While the primary purpose of greenbelt protection is to prevent urban sprawl, some greenbelt areas within towns and cities are designated for more arbitrary reasons. Often, these areas were marked as greenbelt because it was electorally beneficial for a councillor, even if the land had only a car park on it.

The origins of the greenbelt date back to 1580, initially as a measure to protect people from the plague. It wasn’t until the 1930s that greenbelt as we know it today started to take shape, with London being the first to implement such measures. By the 1950s, other areas followed suit, supported by government powers to enact Local Development Plans. Today, 13% of England, 16% of Northern Ireland, and 2% of Scotland is greenbelt (Wales has negligible greenbelt land with only one site listed).

Many greenbelt areas are former industrial or agricultural sites, now decaying and having a negative impact, similar to brownfield sites. For instance, in London, 59% of its greenbelt is agricultural, and in Greater Manchester, many greenbelt sites are urban, including former railway yards now overgrown or buried.

Today, we need more housing than ever. The UK faces a crisis of unaffordable homes for young people, who can afford to rent at extortionate rates but struggle to save for a deposit. This lack of supply keeps house prices high, exacerbating the cost of living crisis.

The new government, under Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, has pledged to tackle the house-building crisis with a new target for building homes. The government aims to work with partners to deliver a mix of private and social housing that is affordable.

Minister Jim McMahon has emphasised a 'brownfield first' approach, marrying sites in need of renewal with more accessible sites to ensure developers can profit while keeping homes affordable. He has also stated that locals will get priority.

However, Mr McMahon and Rachel Reeves (the New Chancellor) have acknowledged that some greenbelt land will need to be developed. He suggests prioritising unsightly car parks or derelict industrial buildings within the greenbelt for development.

This approach seems sensible, but more can be achieved. The previous government's "garden village scheme" had potential, but it fell short due to greenbelt concerns. Although funding was provided for early works, planning, and outreach, most garden cities never materialised.

For the garden village scheme to work, it needs to encompass more than just housing. New villages should include essential infrastructure like doctors' surgeries, primary schools, dentists, and local shops. Simply building homes without addressing the need for local amenities only adds to the pressure on existing services.

In conclusion, while protecting greenbelt land is important, a balanced approach that includes sensible development on certain greenbelt sites, alongside a focus on brownfield land, is crucial to address the UK’s housing crisis. And this is the only way to turn a NIMBY to a YIMBY.