Prescott signals go-ahead for major Green Belt housing-led development

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced he is minded to allow the westward expansion of Stevenage across Green Belt land.

The Deputy Prime Minister's decision was welcomed by Stevenage Borough Council but criticised by conservationists and many local residents.

The Secretary of State's decision letter makes it clear that Prescott, in line with the inspector who heard an inquiry into the proposals last year, believed there were "very special" circumstances - principally strategic housing needs - which justified consent for the scheme.

The letter stated: "Very special circumstances have been demonstrated to outweigh harm to the Green Belt."

The letter argues that the proposals "would widen housing opportunity and choice, are in general compliance with the master planning principles, and would deliver sufficient affordable housing within a sustainable community".

The scheme Prescott is minded to approve involves 3,600 homes (a quarter of which will be affordable), schools, community facilities, playing fields, shops and transport infrastructure.

Council leader Brian Hall said: "There is a genuine housing shortage in Stevenage and we need to do something about it now."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has attacked the decision. Henry Oliver, the organisation's head of planning called it "outrageous and unjustified" and claimed it is "one of the biggest incursions into Green Belts since they became national policy 50 years ago".

He added: "Our worry is that this is only the beginning, given the government's plans for massive growth across the wider South East of England."

The local authorities and the consortium of developers behind the scheme now have until 20 January 2006 to provide the Secretary of State with an acceptable planning agreement

A mixed-use scheme for 5,500 homes for the same location was rejected, again on the advice of the inspector.

Roger Milne

28 October 2005