Environment: Bellamy fury over green belt threat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A top wildlife campaigner yesterday condemned "the madness" of building millions of new homes in the green belt. Professor David Bellamy, called for a halt to the Government-backed plans that have sparked anger among environmentalists.
In a keynote speech he said new homes should be built on derelict "brown" land in urban locations. He told the Green Futures conference at Halesowen in the West Midlands: "The Government wants to provide 4 million new homes in the next 20 years, with half of them in rural locations. They could all be built on the 60,000 hectares of vacant `brown' land in towns and cities, with plenty of room available for green spaces. It is madness to destroy the green belt environment."
He added: "The brown sites are close to jobs, hospitals, shops and services. That is where most people want to live, not miles out in the countryside where cars are needed and water supplies barely sustain existing households."
The demand for homes has been created by the rising divorce rate and people living longer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments