West of England greenbelt needs to change, says regional Mayor
Dan Norris wants greenbelt land to be better protected, but also for the area classified as such to be changed
The Mayor of the West of England says the region's greenbelt is "not fit for purpose", because it does not adequately protect open land from development.
Dan Norris, who represents Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, says the current area does not protect land that's vital for wildlife and it hinders house building on brownfield sites.
The Labour man wants a development document, which is used by local councils to help them decide where things can and cannot be built, to explicitly state that there should be no overall square footage loss of greenbelt in the West of England, but also that the areas classified as green belt should be changed.
"There is a climate and biodiversity emergency and families can't afford a place to call home," he says in a press release.
"That's why we need to extend urban areas in some carefully chosen places.
"We need to make every inch of Greenbelt matter.
"The test should not be an historical line on a map but whether Greenbelt land brings the best benefits to local communities.
"We need to protect wildlife corridors and the outdoor spaces that people can use to walk their dogs, ramble, picnic and cycle."
Greenbelts are defined by the Open Space Society as a buffer between urban areas and the countryside.
They are used as a planning tool to ensure certain bits of land remain permanently open, but they are coming increasingly under threat as the need for more housing rises and development on such land is allowed in "exceptional circumstances".
Last year North Somerset Council, which is not part of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) ran by Mr Norris, published new documents showing where more than 20,000 new homes could be built by 2038.
Within the documents it is suggested neighbouring councils such as Bristol City and Bath and North East Somerset, both of which are WECA councils, might have to consider building on the greenbelt to meet housing needs.
It comes as Bristol Sport, the company that owns Bristol City Football club, wants to build 500 homes in the Ashton Vale greenbelt, as part of plans to create a "sporting quarter" next to Ashton Gate stadium.