Green space 'under threat'
Shropshire's green belt has never been under greater threat, countryside campaigners warned today. Shropshire's green belt has never been under greater threat, countryside campaigners warned today. Higher housing targets could threaten some of the county's most prestigious scenery, while roads and the regeneration of towns will also take their toll. In a new report, What Price West Midlands Green Belts?, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England warns that green belts are suffering neglect. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Higher housing targets could threaten some of the county's most prestigious scenery, while roads and the regeneration of towns will also take their toll.
In a new report, What Price West Midlands Green Belts?, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England warns that green belts are suffering neglect.
It says the "vital contribution" they make in preventing urban sprawl is not fully appreciated.
A spokesman for the CPRE warned: "Green belts are being nibbled away. Houses, roads, airports, universities, sports venues, parking lots and more are all being built on green belt land.
"About 1,000 hectares a year are disappearing under development across England.
"Disappearing with them is the clear distinction between city and country or between two towns.
"When we lose open green belt land, we lose more than just a view, a potential recreation spot, an easy escape from the city or valuable farmland; we lose a sense of place."
The report specified that plans to develop Wolverhampton Airport were a real cause for concern.
It said: "This small airport, currently used for small planes, has in the past sought to expand to take commercial passenger flights.
"It lies in a deeply rural part of the green belt and, even with substantial investment in roads and public transport, would still be hard to reach.
"Its expansion would be wholly at odds with green belt policy and would greatly damage the largely unspoilt rural character of the surrounding area, especially through the spread of ancillary development such as service facilities and car parking."
The CPRE said the West Midlands had already seen how green belt can be destroyed for road building - the M6 Toll road passed through 27 miles of prime green belt and already developers are looking for land nearby to build on.
By Rural Affairs Editor Nathan Rous
