 The CPRE says urban areas need attention |
Government plans for housing development in four areas of rural England could "devastate the countryside", say campaigners. The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) is trying to rally support against hundreds of thousands of houses being built in Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent and the Thames Gateway.
The pressure group welcomes Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's aim to provide more low cost housing for essential workers in the region.
But its says it fears for the future of the Green Belt and the creation of urban sprawl.
The council's national planning campaigner, Julie Stainton, said: "The CPRE believes that the Plan raises unanswered questions and could pose serious dangers to the countryside.
 There is a lot at stake, not least the tranquility and quality of our countryside  |
"Proposals for massive growth in four key areas in the wider south east, from Northamptonshire across to Cambridgeshire and down to Kent could mean more than 500,000 new homes, and more roads and traffic, on greenfield sites over the next 30 years. "Growth on this scale could devastate the countryside in a region already under severe pressure.
"It could further damage declining urban areas which desperately need investment and attention, not just elsewhere in the region but right across the country."
Ms Stainton said the plan missed a golden opportunity to deliver radical improvements in green construction.
The CPRE is calling for:
More homes built on regenerated inner city sites Greater protection for the countryside Development that improves rather than undermines people's quality of life. The group has written to every one of its members in the proposed South East Growth Areas urging them to write to their MPs to raise concerns about the potential impact of the housing estates.
Ms Stainton said the CPRE strongly supported John Prescott's desire for a "step-change" in the quality of new development.
But improvements would not come easily, she warned.
Mr Prescott's multi-million pound package aimed at speeding up plans for thousands of new low-cost homes nationwide was unveiled in February.
Investment
Under the scheme, the government will invest �5bn in affordable housing over the next three years, including at least �1bn on housing for key workers such as nurses and teachers.
The plan insists housing estates must be designed so that public transport links are close by and there is less need for private car use.
When Mr Prescott announced the plan he also made a pledge to focus development on brownfield land and to "maintain or increase" greenbelt land in every English region, by creating new green spaces in towns and cities.
He said the four "growth" areas, together with London, had the potential to deliver 300,000 more jobs and an extra 200,000 homes over the next 15-20 years.
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