As the Planning and Infrastructure Bill progresses through the House of Lords, and given the Government's announcement on constructing three new towns before 2029, we stand at a critical juncture in planning policy. The decisions parliamentarians take today will affect communities for generations, as we seek to balance a housing shortage crisis against diminishing access to spaces that underpin our health and wellbeing.
Britain faces an undeniable housing crisis, with a national shortfall exceeding four million homes. Despite the Government's target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, safe, affordable housing will remain remote for many without radical change. While the intentions are noble and the urgency understandable, this Bill fails to recognise the threat posed to community green spaces, from playing fields and pitches to parks and playgrounds. These spaces are not luxuries: as we experienced during the pandemic, they are the foundations of the healthier, more connected neighbourhoods we all want to live in. My parliamentary colleagues and I have warned Ministers that we cannot sacrifice these spaces in the national mission to get Britain building. Once lost, they are gone forever.
