where do we stand?

mrs_miser

Thanks planning officer, will ring up the planning office tomorrow.
Just been on line reading about a local action group, and it appears that the laws on green belt development have /are being relaxed.
live in Leighton Buzzard, Beds and i know that due to all the government housing targets we are being hit hard, also Milton Keynes, Luton etc........ mind you dont suppose anyone wants to build a large scale development at the moment...... also while i remember just recently before the soil samples were taken the environmental guys, i presume hired by land owner found golden crested newts.... they can or have moved the colony
does this sound right?

Thanks...........

planning_officer

No problem. It is a misconception about Green Belts being relaxed - the protection is as strong now as it was in the 1950s when they were first brought into action. No legislation has changed regarding Green Belt protection and there is no legislation in the pipeline which will relax development in Green Belts - although some of the media report that more development could be allowed in the Green Belt, this is only in very carefully chosen locations to meet identified needs - if anything, it will strengthen the protection afforded to the Green Belt elsewhere.

Great crested newts are a protected species, so not sure whether they would be allowed to just move the colony. This is quite a good site with legal info about them: http://www.froglife.org/GCNCH/GCNCH.htm

Under the relevant legislation, it is illegal to (copied from above link!):

• Intentionally or deliberately capture or kill, or intentionally injure great crested newts

• Deliberately disturb great crested newts or intentionally or recklesslydisturb them in a place used for shelter or protection
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place
• Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a place used for shelter or protection

clairedurham

They can be moved but only as I last resort (you would need a licence), its more likely that the developer would be made to make provisions for the nexts or encourage them elsewhere by creating a series of ponds/barriers.

Obviously who know's whether they moved the newts legally!

Planning Officer is right the Green belt rules have not been relaxed but there are other government initiatives around that could mean your council are encouraging housing growth. Even if your area fell in one of these 'Growth Points' then the Green belt issue is still huge and I struggle to believe the Council or Central Government would allow it.

Phlip_corter

friend,I read all comment. Your comment very nice. This is good think.I will try it.

planning_officer wrote: »

If it really is Green Belt land, unless the Council have designated it as a rural exceptions site, he has next to no chance of getting planning permission. New dwellings are 'inappropriate development' in the Green Belt and there is a very strong presumption against such development. Can you find out if it's a rural exceptions site - this is basically a designated site where affordable housing can be built for rural communities - because that's the only way he would stand a chance of getting planning permission. If you want to post your local authority and details of the site (or message me if you don't want to post) I can help you try and find that out.

lonestar1

Could you perhaps buy the land ? Thats the best way to ensure it doesnt get developed

mlz1413

Ask your council planning office if there is a website that you can log onto to see submitted planning proposal's.

I used to live in Rushden and the building next door was a 2 storey high storage unit, great for privacy but worrying that it could be turned into something else at any time, Northamptonshire council told me the website and I just looked it up monthly to keep a check.

Although with your proposed buildings, neighbours will probably receive letters indiviually and signs will have to be sited locally (like on lamp-posts) so you should know if any planning is being taken seriously.

mrs_miser

lonestar1 wrote: »

Could you perhaps buy the land ? Thats the best way to ensure it doesnt get developed

would love to, but unfortunately cant compete with bloor homes, the house builder who has his eye on it, prob be worth millions to them.

mrs_miser

planning officer and clairedurham, thanks so much for your replies, a po came out to investigate and there is definatelt a planning application going in after the soil samples have been completed.
but you have given me so much info that i now feel i can go ahead with facts if need be, have printed this off and will give copies to neighbours.

thanks again

clairedurham

No bother, glad to help! You know where to come if you need any more advice

scousethife

My advice is get a screwdriver and snap your caps lock key off.

then

move house