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Save the Green Belt – our petition has support from all over the UK!
CPRE Hertfordshire’s campaign to save the Green Belt has gained support from Lands End to John O’Groats. We’re seeking an amendment in the Government’s definition of ‘grey belt’ in national planning policy, as developers are now having a field day with new, speculative planning applications on treasured landscapes and green fields everywhere.
We are campaigning for an urgent change in the recently-revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to protect our countryside. And we need your help.
For further information on our call to the Government and why our campaign is urgent visit our campaign page: Save our Green Belt – our campaign for amendment of ‘grey belt’ definition
What’s happening to the Green Belt in my area?
Existing Green Belt protections were weakened in the Government’s December 2024 revisions to the NPPF, which defined ‘grey belt’ expansively – not just the disused car parks and derelict petrol stations as stated before the last election.
Developers and land speculators have responded quickly by submitting dozens of planning applications for large-scale commercial and residential developments on treasured landscapes and green fields within the Green Belt, asserting that the land is ‘grey belt’. See a few of these below.
Examples of large scale speculative applications citing ‘grey belt’
Land to east of South Mimms services. This is a proposal for a huge data centre – said to be the largest in Europe – on a greenfield site in the Green Belt. 34 hectares of countryside would be lost. We objected to the planning application, but Hertsmere Borough Council granted permission. We understand that there may be a pending legal challenge.
Land west of Blegberry Gardens, Berkhamsted. This is a proposal for an 80 dwelling residential extension to the town, on a greenfield site in the Green Belt. 4 hectares of beautiful landscape, far from the town centre and its facilities and services, would be lost to development. We will shortly be submitting our objection.
Land South of Elstree Road and East of Heathbourne Road, Bushey Heath. This is a proposal for a 1,300 dwelling integrated retirement community including circa 4,000 car park spaces on a greenfield site in the Green Belt. 38 hectares of open countryside that hosts numerous wildlife habitats and a leg of the London Outer Orbital Path public right of way, would be lost to development. We objected to the original and amended planning applications, determination of which is still pending.
CPRE Hertfordshire’s petition has attracted over 6,600 signatures so far. But we need your help to reach our target of 10,000 signatures to gain a response from the Government.
