A new consultation paper from Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman proposes for the first time to charge residents who submit alternative plans to preserve what are known as “village greens”. They would only get their money back if they win.
The move comes at the same time as Planning Minister Greg Clark is putting millions of acres of Green Belt land at risk by suggesting that applications from developers will have to be decided with “a presumption for development”.
The consultation paper from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says the aim of the changes is to cut the “burden” on landowners and local councils in dealing with applications to designate green spaces, often seen by developers as a move to frustrate housing schemes.
The paper also proposes to create a new designation for existing village greens, nature reserves, areas of natural beauty and open recreation grounds, giving them the same protection as Green Belt land.
But playing fields and areas where there is outline planning permission for development or fenced land could not be designated as a new village green. Developers would be able to block applications in such circumstances.
The paper also proposes a “character test” for designation, suggesting it must be “open, unenclosed and uncultivated” to qualify.
Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “For too long, applications have been put forward for village green status with the explicit aim of holding up or blocking legitimate development. It costs nothing to nominate a piece of land as a village green but it is costly and time consuming for landowners and developers.”
Ms Peace opposes strengthening protection for existing sites. “There is a real danger of a muddled approach that could stifle development and economic growth.”
While the BPF insists it is not against protecting nature reserves, there has been some interesting legal advice to landowners from Pinsent Masons, a law firm: developers should quickly fence in land and put up “Private” signs – but be careful not to alert local people that they have designs on the land.
