Empty homes highlighted in South Gloucestershire green belt row

A conservation group says empty and derelict homes should be repaired before green belt in South Gloucestershire is built on.

Figures from earlier this year showed there were more than 550 homes across the authority left empty or derelict by their owners for more than six months.

Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society is worried about the amount of new housing being proposed by the Government.

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) plans for nearly 33,000 houses to be built in South Gloucestershire by 2026.

David Reade, chairman of the Hanham group, said in a letter to Hazel Blears, the Communities and Local Government Secretary: "This interpretation meant developers could cherry pick greenfield sites to build on ahead of brownfield sites.

"This is totally contrary to Government policy, which directs that the use of brownfield sites is to be preferred and indeed says that incentives should be provided, and interventions made, by local authorities to achieve this."

Ministers said "urban extensions" on green belt would be needed to meet Government housing targets.

But Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire Council's executive councillor for planning, transport and the environment, said: "We are strongly objecting to the proposed changes, as we are very concerned about the serious impact the proposed increased housing numbers would have on the district."

South Gloucestershire council has urged people to comment on the plans to build the new homes before the deadline tomorrow.