YEP says: Green belt land can't grow back once it's under concrete

News that plans for homes on green belt areas in Leeds could be scrapped will no doubt be met with a resounding cheer across the city.
File photo dated 28/02/12 of houses being built in Derbyshire as house building has got off to its best start to the year since 2007, with most of the UK seeing strong growth, an industry body has reported. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday May 8, 2015. The National House Building Council (NHBC) said that 40,281 new homes were registered between January and March, marking the highest total for the first three months of the year since 53,420 new registrations were recorded in early 2007. The "encouraging" figures seen so far for 2015 also represent an 18% increase when compared with the first three months of 2014, the NHBC said. But in London, new registrations were down by 29% year-on-year in the first three months of 2015. In March alone, 17,210 new homes were registered across the country, marking an upswing of nearly one third (32%) compared with March 2014. The NHBC's registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80% of homes constructed in the UK. Builders are requFile photo dated 28/02/12 of houses being built in Derbyshire as house building has got off to its best start to the year since 2007, with most of the UK seeing strong growth, an industry body has reported. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday May 8, 2015. The National House Building Council (NHBC) said that 40,281 new homes were registered between January and March, marking the highest total for the first three months of the year since 53,420 new registrations were recorded in early 2007. The "encouraging" figures seen so far for 2015 also represent an 18% increase when compared with the first three months of 2014, the NHBC said. But in London, new registrations were down by 29% year-on-year in the first three months of 2015. In March alone, 17,210 new homes were registered across the country, marking an upswing of nearly one third (32%) compared with March 2014. The NHBC's registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80% of homes constructed in the UK. Builders are requ
File photo dated 28/02/12 of houses being built in Derbyshire as house building has got off to its best start to the year since 2007, with most of the UK seeing strong growth, an industry body has reported. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday May 8, 2015. The National House Building Council (NHBC) said that 40,281 new homes were registered between January and March, marking the highest total for the first three months of the year since 53,420 new registrations were recorded in early 2007. The "encouraging" figures seen so far for 2015 also represent an 18% increase when compared with the first three months of 2014, the NHBC said. But in London, new registrations were down by 29% year-on-year in the first three months of 2015. In March alone, 17,210 new homes were registered across the country, marking an upswing of nearly one third (32%) compared with March 2014. The NHBC's registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80% of homes constructed in the UK. Builders are requ

It is easy to cry NIMBYS, whenever anyone objects to building near their homes.

But whilst most people would agree we need more affordable homes for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren to live in, which among us would be happy if those homes were built in front of our own, or if we had to churn up green fields in order to build them.

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Some, not least Concillor Andrew Carter, have long espoused the view that there is no need to build the number of homes being proposed by the council.

Indeed last month he proposed a motion of no confidence in Leeds City Council over its delivery of plans on housing.

At the time the Calverley and Farsley representative said he was concerned the SAP – which he described as “the most important issue facing the city in the short to medium term” – risks too much Green Belt development, branding its current target “undeliverable and unnecessary”.

This review is to be welcomed. Richard Lewis is right when he says getting our long-term housing policy and direction planned in a clear and right way is essential for the future of our city and our communities.

Green belt doesn’t grow back.