The scale and pace of development across my constituency is a huge concern for local residents. I took up these concerns with the last Government, and together with other MPs, persuaded Ministers to change national planning regulations. These changes included concentrating development in urban areas, ensuring any rural development is complementary to the character of the town or village and supported by the necessary infrastructure, and not to develop Grade 1 agricultural land whenever possible.
These national planning regulations will be overturned by the current Government who are making housing targets compulsory across our countryside regardless of the quality of land proposed for development. So, I have presented a Bill in Parliament to change the law to protect Grade 1 agricultural land for farming.
Less than 3% of England’s agricultural land is classified as Grade 1. This land is scarce and important for food production. We are fortunate to have a swathe of this wonderful farmland here in Kent. But it is at risk under the pressure from Government to meet housing targets. That’s why I have proposed a new law to protect England’s very best farmland.
To oppose all house building would be wrong as we need more homes to address the national shortage of housing. That said, development should be concentrated in urban areas and London should build more homes to meet its growing population need. As a nation we need to get our priorities in order and food security should be right up there.
You can see my bill here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3814
