The government has a target to build more homes on 'brownfield' sites. This conjures up the idea that instead of beautiful countryside being invaded to create new homes, redundant industrial wasteland is being converted into new, attractive, residential areas.
In fact, as new figures have revealed, a significant proportion of new housing is being on town and city gardens. Our urban environments are having their greenery removed and replaced by blocks of flats. 15 per cent of new dwellings are being built on residential plots, including gardens.
Nobody wants to live without greenery around. But that is precisely the kind of environment towards which current government policy is taking us.
The figure is from today's Daily Mail (page 2) which cites Tory MP Greg Clark as the person who has found it out - presumably from the government. For good research and analysis on the subject, see Better Homes, Greener Cities published by Policy Exchange.
Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Housing
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I'm certainly seeing that first hand. I hate that people are immediately branded a NIMBY by objecting to the house next door being turned into concrete block and parking lot for 50 cars.
The argument is not against new housing or higher density. Higher densities can be acheived through better design that are sympathic to the environment. We objected and lost in appeals. No one had a problem with having the derelict house torn down and replaced with new housing. Bravo!
The new development looks like a Stallag and every inch around it is concrete in order to accomodate 50 cars.
What about enclosed or underground parking and keeping some green?
This was an area where people wanted to live. Now houses are very slow to sell and people are looking to move further out.
The new housing falls into one of two type "luxury & executive housing" or low end purpose build key worker, council and housing association.
It is the mid market family home with large gardens in the 'affordable' range that are being targeted. If you are the owner of on it starts with a letter of interest and often ends up with a cheque for twice the home's value.
For the neighbours and rest of the community misery.
For example can anyone tell me why an older detached but well maintained and modernised home have a price of c. £220,000 but the equivilant in the new development is £350,000 with 1/2 as much land?
Even if you gut the older house and refurbish it with top of the line fittings and a new roof with loft conversion you still wouldn't come close to the price and have a better home as well.
This was a beautiful town now it is becoming a concrete jungle.
I feel a move further out into somewhere greener comming on.
Posted by: Windahl Finnigan at June 21, 2006 05:11 PM
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Land Economy by the Adam Smith institute is also excellent on this issue.
http://www.adamsmith.org/index.php/publications/details/land_economy/
Posted by: Jack Gunning at May 26, 2006 10:26 AM