Planning deregulation-goodbye Green Belt?

[worthyone]

Did anybody else take notice of planning related announcements in last week’s Budget?
'All planning bodies will be expected to prioritise jobs and growth,' said George Osborne. 'Cumbersome planning laws stand in the way of new jobs,' he added. 'We will introduce a new presumption in favour of development so that the default answer is 'yes'.'

Check out Greg Clark's Ministerial Statement: Planning for Growth - Corporate - Department for Communities and Local Government

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has heavily criticised the proposals, they say, 'This could mean developers building what they like, where they like, and when they like. It’s a policy that finally buries genuine localism.'

The Chief executive of the British Property Federation, Liz Peace, had a much warmer response: 'The Government has indicated its intention to introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development as part of the National Planning Policy Framework. However, it must not be hedged around with so many restrictions as to be meaningless in practice. It is right that planning should prevent urban sprawl but the designation as green belt should not mean ruling out any development, the green belt should be an additional hurdle, not an insuperable barrier,’ she added.

The CPRE's response: “The Chancellor’s default ‘yes to development’ threatens both the environment and sound planning. The proposed land auctions are hugely risky and have failed to get backing from developers, local government or campaigners. In this context, his reassurances on protection of the Green Belt are nothing more than a fig leaf.”

[nightshade]

I noted it with dismay. More infill building, more excursions into Green Belt so my town will become a suburb of Bristol on one side and Bath the other.
People can add rear extensions wether the footprint of the plot allows it or not, no neighbours say in the matter. Old gardens will disappear, newer gardens will be sold as well to squeeze more housing into desirable areas.