Government announces crackdown on ‘garden-grabbing’

The Government has given local councils in England more powers to stop developers building homes on gardens (otherwise known as ‘garden-grabbing’).

In its coalition agreement, published on 20 May, the Government stated its intention to give councils more powers to stop this practice – and it has wasted no time in putting this policy into action.

In a statement made on 9 June, Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark said that, with immediate effect, Annex B of Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) will be amended so that private residential gardens are no longer classified as ‘previously developed land’ (i.e. brownfield land). This will make it easier for councils to reject planning applications for new dwellings on garden land, where local people object. The reclassification of gardens will not affect people who wanted to build extensions on their homes.

Mr Clark also announced the immediate removal of minimum housing density targets, meaning that councils will be able to decide what level of housing density is appropriate for their area.

This change in policy could have adverse consequences that the Government will not have intended. Many old houses have reached their “sell by date” and the land should be re-processed in a more modern, efficient manner. Many elderly people find large gardens too large a burden, and help fund their retirement by selling some of it for development. People will still want to live in the South East, but if land within a community cannot be released for development then there will be added pressure on the green belt. It is not simply a matter of house building being swapped onto derelict industrial land; firstly, there isn’t much of that in the South East and, secondly, land is needed to create employment opportunities as well, not just housing.

One other important aspect is that house building is one of the most important industries in the country. Apart from those directly employed, this could have adverse consequences on the High Street in the sale of fixtures and fittings and furnishings. A lack of new housing will put up the price of second-hand housing. The main concerns of neighbours will generally be overlooking and inappropriate development. There may well have been other ways of achieving the same end but without such far reaching consequences. I expect the Government will be criticised for implementing a far-reaching proposal without proper consultation with those most affected.