John Leech MP calls for end of 'Garden Grabbing ' developments.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Jun 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, is calling for an urgent revision of government planning guidance to stop "garden grabbing" development.

John Leech is backing Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt's Local Government and Planning (Parkland and Windfall Development) Bill, which will receive its second reading in the Commons in October. John Leech says that local councils and communities must be given back control of planning decisions affecting their own area.

Commenting, John Leech MP said:

"The scale of inappropriate windfall development in areas like South Manchester is irreparably damaging the character and cohesion of neighbourhoods. Huge rises in the number of blocks of flats are also adding to traffic congestion in South Manchester."

"Local councillors and residents are often powerless to prevent garden grabbing development, following changes to Planning rules brought in by John Prescott in the late 1990s."

"It is essential that back gardens are reclassified as greenbelt as opposed to brownfield or "developed" land. Communities, through their locally elected councillors, should have the final say in deciding on appropriate development in their area."

John Leech has also signed a parliamentary motion, Early Day Motion 486 "Infill Development", which also aims to give greater protection to gardens and open spaces in towns and cities, and prevent overdevelopment. The text of EDM 486 is shown below.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Early Day Motion 486 INFILL DEVELOPMENT

04.07.2005

Spelman, Caroline

That this House notes the growing public concern over the damaging effect of inappropriate infill development on the character of local neighbourhoods; believes the Deputy Prime Minister's revision of Planning Policy Guidance 3 has resulted in poorly designed blocks of flats being crammed into suburban communities and the destruction of green spaces such as back gardens; and calls on the Government to revise planning guidance to give councils a greater say on local development, to deliver higher quality and design in new build, and to allow communities to protect the character of residential neighbourhoods.