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London’s green belt facing threat from housing development
Despite promises made in 2012 to protect the green belt surrounding London, new plans to build new homes are being drawn up, threatening to turn areas of natural beauty into newly developed suburbs.
The UK is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet. With a rising population and immigration from abroad, as well as migration from smaller UK towns and cities, London in particular is facing an expansion of its conurbation into previously rural land.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England has drawn up a report claiming that 275,000 homes are planned to be built on green belt land – 25% more than in 2015 – and therefore is questioning why the government is not doing more to limit the capital’s expansion into areas of nature, instead of redeveloping brown field sites.
“To build the affordable homes young people and families need, the Government should empower councils to prioritise the use of brownfield sites,” said Paul Miner, campaign manager for the CPRE. “Brown field land is a self-renewing resource that can provide at least one million new homes.”
Adding fuel to the flames is the effect the new properties will have on an already stagnating market, ahead of the Brexit vote on June 23rd. With so many properties on the London market failing to sell, many UK house selling experts believe the additional homes will dilute the market even more, pushing down prices and reducing the profit sellers may have otherwise been entitled to.
Of course, sellers can always refer their sale to property buying companies who will be willing to make a cash offer on any home, regardless of condition – but with the added benefit that no estate agent fees will be incurred and the sale can be processed in a fraction of the time it would take to sell a home using traditional methods.
For many, though, it’s not about the condition of the property market, nor is it about stabilising house prices – it’s about preserving the areas of outstanding natural beauty that the country has to offer. Moreover, it’s about the lack of transparency regarding the government’s ability to adhere to its own rules, when legislation is passed to protect these natural areas. If they can’t keep their promises, why should we believe any that they make in the future?
Looking to sell your house without incurring estate agency fees? Why not ask National Homebuyers for advice, as we buy any house. Call 08000 443 911 or request a call back to find out how much you could get for your property.
