The benefits of London’s Green Belt The main benefit of London’s Green Belt is to do Two thirds of Green Belt land is in agricultural Future proofing As London grows into a higher with the reason it was put in place – to stop use – not surprising given its proximity to density city, so more people come to rely on London sprawling into the surrounding potential markets in the city. This is a vital protected green spaces for the many benefits countryside. economic resource for food security and soil they provide. Government recognises that Green protection. Belt land may be, and in fact stipulates that they As the poet Andrew Motion said: “Since about should be, enhanced to provide more benefits in 1940, the population of Los Angeles has grown Recreation, sport, health Green Belt protection future. at about the same rate as the population of has ensured Londoners enjoy open land and London. Los Angeles is now so enormous that if countryside in and near the city. Many areas of It is at times when cities grow that land you somehow managed to pick it up and plonk Green Belt are country parks or playing fields, protection policies are most critical. At these it down on England, it would extend from they support sport and recreation, tourism and times land protections should be strengthened Brighton on the south coast to Cambridge in health – including reducing stress by providing rather than weakened or abandoned. the north-east. That’s what happens if you peaceful, breathing spaces and 9,899km of don’t have a green belt.” public rights of way The stated purposes of green belts are: Why is urban sprawl bad? Urban sprawl has Eco-system benefits Different types of open To prevent unrestricted urban sprawl multiple economic costs, including increased land provide multiple eco-system benefits which To prevent neighbouring towns merging into travel costs; decreased economic vitality of include urban cooling, improved air quality, one another urban centres; increased tax burdens due to flood protection and carbon absorption more expensive road and utility construction (especially the woodland areas), as well as local To assist in safeguarding the countryside and maintenance; increased car use leading to food production. from encroachment higher air pollution and increased health care To preserve the setting and special character costs for diseases like asthma, and loss of of historic towns; and productive farmland and natural lands that To assist in urban regeneration, by support tourism. encouraging the recycling of urban land London’s Green Belt is now under threat like never before There is huge pressure to build houses in London and the South East of England and the open countryside of London’s Green Belt attracts developers who would rather build on green The London Green Belt Council is an field sites than re-use derelict urban land. independent, voluntary organisation. Its Powerful pressure groups lobby Parliament to membership is made up of local and national have parts of the Green Belt ‘freed up’ for organisations with an interest in protecting and development. preserving London’s Green Belt. Formed in 1955, it is funded by member subscriptions. Chair of the London We need your help to save London’s Green Belt Council, The Council exists to protect London’s Green Green Belt Richard Knox-Johnston Belt, which it does by providing information and The London Green Belt Council’s strength is in its advice about current green belt issues and numbers. If you are part of a local community, What is a green belt? offering comment to politicians, the media and resident or environmental group with concerns A green belt is a ring of open land around a city others. about London’s Green Belt, please do ask the or town which is protected from development: it group to consider becoming a member. The can only be built on in exceptional current subscription is just £10 a year. We also circumstances. It effectively defines the limits of ask for a voluntary donation of an additional £15 a town or city. if groups are in a position to contribute a bit more. London’s Green Belt London’s green belt is 486,000 hectares. It starts Contact, donations and membership in the outer London boroughs, well inside the enquiries M25, and includes large areas of Hertfordshire, www.londongreenbeltcouncil.org.uk Essex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire [email protected] and Bedfordshire. Tel: c/o CPRE London 020 7253 0300 .