Much greenbelt land 'serves little purpose' says NHF

A National Housing Federation (NHF) spokesperson has said that much of the land that is currently defined as greenbelt or greenfield is in fact "scrubland" which serves little purpose in its current state.

The current definitions mean that large quantities of land which could otherwise provide homes for struggling families and key workers is going to waste, it has been advised.

A change in such regulations could see a resurgence in many communities, the spokesman noted.

"No-one wants to concrete over the countryside or spoil the landscape but a lot of what is classified as greenbelt is ugly land or scrubland which doesn't serve much purpose," the NHF official commented.

"Where you've got areas where the locals are being driven out and they have to live elsewhere because they can't afford local house prices, then building affordable homes will keep families in the community and will keep in essential workers who can't afford to live there.

"It can actually turn around some declining communities."


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