Barker calls for fewer gardens build over

Gregory Barker has raised his concern over new "garden grabbing" statistics.

The new Government figures show that one in five new homes is being built on land that was previously a garden.

The Bexhill and Battle MP say the figures highlight the increase in property developers snapping up family houses with gardens in order to knock them down and replace them with densely-packed apartment blocks.

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Under current legislation, domestic gardens are placed in the same category as derelict former industrial land and are therefore easier to develop.

According to the local government statistics, the number of family homes being built on land that was previously a garden has risen by a third since 1997.

Mr Barker said: "Across Bexhill and Battle, there is a growing concern about gardens disappearing under concrete regardless of local opinion following Labour's new planning rules putting residential gardens on a par with derelict factories and gasworks.

"This has triggered a wave of unsustainable development at a time when our green spaces are even more vital to the quality of life and character of our towns.

"This problem is only going to get worse under the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown."