Developers targeting Watership Down site

The most radical shake up of the country's planning laws has been published today.

The document, called the National Planning and Policy Framework.

But countryside campaigners fear it will give the signal to developers that they can build on green belt land.

Certainly government sources say it is "unashamedly pro-growth" and the Home Builders Federation says it could support "a desperately needed increase in house building."

Ministers have made some concessions as a result of the consultation.

Developers and local councils are required to consider "brownfield sites" - those which have previously been developed - before they can build on "greenfield sites".

The CBI, the business organisation, has welcomed the move.

There is a desperate need for more housing. The number of new homes being built is not keeping up with the growth in the UK's population.

In Newbury, however, campaigners are continuing to fight against plans for 2,000 new homes on greenfield land to the south of the Berkshire town.

They are earmarked for the site which was the inspiration for the children's novel Watership Down. The author, Richard Adams, who 40 years ago published the story of rabbits fleeing developers, is opposed to the new homes.

Sandleford Park, where the development has been given outline approval, is the setting for the warren from which the rabbits fled.

Ultimately the success of the new plans is dependent upon both its interpretation by Local Authorities and how central Government ensures it does actually deliver more homes.

Local Authorities have control over their housing plans. The onus is now on them to deliver and address the country’s acute housing crisis.