No to Garden Grabbing

The previous Conservative Government relaxed planning laws to allow back gardens to be treated as "brown-field" land i.e. previously developed and to be built on before green fields. "Garden grabbing" puts more pressure on local communities, roads and services.

Lorely Burt was elected Lib Dem MP for Solihull in 2005 in part because of this issue. Mrs Burt introduced her own Bill into Parliament on the subject.

Although it passed its early stages, without formal Government time it failed. The Government made warm noises about it but has not yet legislated on the issue. See http://lorelyburt.org.uk/news/000222.html

The Liberal Democrats continue to campaign on the issue - see http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/backgardens as do MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow and others. Read more and sign the petition at www.tombrake.co.uk/pages/backgardens.html

Here in Chelmsford, the Lib Dems continue their campaign against the Conservative council's plans for overdevelopment of the current built up area. See www.dontchoke.org.uk