Concreting over the countryside

The so-called housing shortage has more to do with builders and developers hanging on to ever-appreciating land banks, a reluctance to build on brownfield sites because it’s more costly, and off-plan selling to overseas investors, than a shortage of suitable building land. But building on the Green Belt produces major profits for the land owner and reduces construction costs for the builder/developer so it remains the target for attack.

Uncontrolled immigration is undoubtedly one of the main driving forces in the rush to concrete-over our green and pleasant land. But it’s fueled by a Tory government which promised to protect the Green Belt in its election manifesto and then, in typically Cameron style, did a U-turn and sent out the message that our green fields were up for grabs.

If this process is allowed to continue Britain is destined to become the dormitory of the world and our green spaces will disappear for ever; it’s only a matter of time. And that’s why it is important to ponder the potential for fighting back and putting a stop to this quiet invasion. It’s a battle we can’t afford to lose.