Hertfordshire farmer warns land around London could be lost to development
Will Dickinson says there's increasing pressure from developers for farmers to sell their land
Last updated 25th Nov 2024
Will Dickinson - an arable farmer in Hertfordshire - has been sharing his anxieties over the loss of land around London.
His farm - Cross Farm - is situated near Berkhamsted, 25 miles north of St Pancras.
Every week, Will receives at least one letter from developers interested in buying 'chunks' of his land to build infrastructure. He says the pressure to sell is growing, too.
He's concerned about the loss of farming practises and food prosperity, but also clean air and the 'green belt' - which contributes to what he calls the 'natural lung of London.'
The new Government meanwhile has set itself a target of building 1.5 million homes in five years and developers have warned that meeting increasing housing demand will not be achieved by only building on brownfield sites.
Labour has proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and is consulting on a process for releasing Green Belt land - which includes creating a new designation of “Grey Belt” land.
Will Dickinson said: "Where I live there's huge pressure on land for development and then it will be lost for farming forever. It will have concrete and bricks on it and it won't be used for food production anymore.
"It is extremely concerning, we are one of the very last green spaces outside the town."
Will also told us that there's 'enormous pressure' on the land for use for leisure and people wanting to walk across the farm.
He has since implemented dedicated 'rights of way' so people can enjoy the countryside - whilst he attempts to preserve the environment and conserve nature, giving animals a 'quiet life away from people.'