Tory MP takes 'garden grabbing' debate to Commons
Government claims that councils have the power to turn down "garden grabbing" bids by developers will be challenged tomorrow by a Conservative MP.
Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, will tell the Commons that ministers have effectively changed the law to make it increasingly difficult for councils to stop developers buying up houses with big gardens, knocking them down and then building blocks of flats on the site.
At least 22,000 new homes every year are built on land previously used as a garden.
Mr Clark is demanding a revision of planning laws to give councils the right to reject "garden grabs".
He has received advice from the Commons Library that builders can now appeal against any refusal of planning permission for garden developments "with every chance of success".
Ministers may also face pressure from their own backbenchers, since the debate is on a Commons motion that has already been signed by nearly 40 Labour MPs.
It was previously tabled as an Early Day Motion and attracted more than 170 signatures from MPs on all sides of the House.
Mr Clark is promoting a Bill to protect gardens from developers and will tell the Commons that the problem has arisen from policy changes that require councils to concentrate housebuilding on "brownfield" sites and to increase housing density.
He added that, bizarrely, leafy gardens are officially designated as brownfield for planning purposes.
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has insisted that there has been no change of policy.
But her view has been challenged by the independent House of Commons Library.
It has told Mr Clark: "There is enough in the guidance to justify developers appealing any refusal of this type of application with every chance of success.
"In other words, I do think that the overall policy environment has changed in respect of developing on gardens."
Mr Clark will also accuse the Minister of trying to disguise the extent of garden grabbing by first denying that figures were available, then producing them under duress, but still resisting releasing regional breakdowns expected to show that the problem is far worse in the over-crowded south east of England.
Mr Clark is pressing for gardens to be removed from the definition of brownfield land.
He will say: "Gardens are classed as brownfield sites, just the same as an old gasworks or railway siding.
"And because brownfield sites are a priority for development it's almost impossible for councils to refuse planning permission. The result is we are losing some of our most attractive urban areas.
"And we are losing green space. Gardens are crucial to the environment within towns. They're a haven for wildlife, and they cool and clean the air.
"When the definition of brownfield sites was drawn up no-one seriously expected that gardens should be part of it. The Minister has the opportunity to correct that mistake by a simple stroke of her pen."
Source: 24Dash.com
Date: Thursday 22nd June, 2006
