Fury as Labour council approves 1,000 homes and will build on former green belt land

-run Basildon Council has approved nearly 1,000 homes in the borough, some of which will be built upon former green belt land that had its designation changed. The Government is on a mission to built 1.5 million homes before the end of this Parliament, which meant coming up with a new type of land that would have previously been left untouched. They have described the grey belt as “poor quality and ugly areas” of the green belt – protected land unless in exceptional circumstances.

Richard Holden, Tory MP for Basildon and Billericay, slammed the reclassification as a “national scandal before our eyes”, and one that Basildon Council has become a part of. The local authority is due to build houses on land once considered green belt after adopting Labour’s 2024 planning reforms, which .

It said the move would help address “current housing needs” and be a long-term investment .

While the council blames the for a “planning crisis”, Mr Holden accused it of taking a “completely different” approach to the Government on building on former green belt land.

He said: “Land, which has always been top quality green land, has suddenly and miraculously been downgraded despite no change in its quality or circumstances.The only real reason for its downgrade is so the Labour council can satisfy a Labour Government.

“Basildon Council has already been approving hundreds of homes on the green belt and has turned on the turbo charger to build more under the guise of the grey belt. happening before our eyes.”

A Basildon Council Spokesperson said: “The approval of these developments is not only a response to the borough’s current housing needs but also a long-term investment in its growth and sustainability.

“In addition to providing much-needed homes, these sites will enhance the community with vital amenities and infrastructure.

“While we acknowledge concerns about green belt development, each planning decision undergoes rigorous assessments to ensure it aligns with national and local policies.

“In 2025, Basildon Councill will also launch Green Guarantee Scheme, giving protective status to every green space that’s not allocated in the Local Plan.”