Chorley Council seek to protect green space (From Chorley Citizen)

Chorley Council seek to protect green space

11:43am Monday 30th August 2010 in

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THE COUNCIL are seeking residents opinions on plans to protect greenfield land in the borough.

The new guidance follows the introduction of legislation giving local authorities more power to resist garden developments.

The controversial practice, more commonly known as ‘garden grabbing’, has been unpopular with local people.

Councillor Peter Malpas, who oversees planning at Chorley Council, said: “We’ve championed a change in the legislation for some time and I’m delighted that we now have more powers to stop garden grabbing developments.

“We’ve put together a policy for how we intend to deal with garden developments in the future and we’re looking for people to tell us what they think of it.”

Chorley Council has put together a policy for how it intends to deal with garden grabbing applications.

Gardens were previously classified as ‘brownfield land’ which meant that developers could exploit a presumption in favour of development by building more housing at a greater density in gardens.

The change, introduced by the coalition Government, makes it much harder for developers to justify their proposals and to get planning permission.

“We rightly cherish our green field land in Chorley and this new policy will prevent inappropriate garden developments while protecting our open spaces right across the borough,” said Coun Malpas.

The council’s new policy would seen applications permitted only if they’re for agricultural workers and there’s a proven need, new houses are appropriately designed and no more than a one for one replacement and they’re extensions provided they’re not used for commercial activities.

The draft policy can be viewed at the council’s offices in Union Street or on the council website, with the consultation running until Thursday September 23.