Hinckley Councillor welcomes Campaign to Protect Rural England campaign against greenfield development

A report into housebuilding on greenfields sites has been supported by a local Councillor.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has published a report showing that in just the last two years 27,000 new houses have been given the go-ahead nationally on greenfield sites despite being opposed by Councillors.

Cllr Michael Mullaney said "Over recent years many planning applications have been turned down by Councillors at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. In many cases those decisions have then been ignored and passed by Government Inspectors from outside the area on appeal.

"This includes developments like those in Leicester Road Hinckley, Spinney Drive Barlestone, London Road Markfield, Workhouse Lane Burbage, St Mary's Court Barwell and Britannia Road Burbage to name a few. Developments voted down by local councillors but then passed by outside Inspectors.

"This report shows how big a problem this is not just here in Hinckley and Bosworth but across Britain.

"The report by the Campaign to Protect Rural England showed that in 309 planning applications for 10 or more houses on greenfield land which had been turned down by councillors 72% were approved on appeal to a Government Inspector.

"It is clear that there needs to be reform of the planning system to stop the wishes of local people and councillors being overturned.

"I have already been lobbying the government to change its policies. And of course if I am elected MP for Bosworth next year I would have more power to help change government policy."