There has been a 129 per cent increase in developments planned on greenfield land, putting them at risk of ‘rapid and reckless’ projects, according to new data from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)

In its Beauty Still Betrayed report, CPRE has warned that the developments are at the cost of affordable housing and could price people living in rural communities out of their areas.

They are calling for the Government to publish all details of planning applications for development on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) land, and to prioritise building projects for social housing or affordable homes.

The research also found that high housing pressure is also being applied to land around AONBs, with the number of homes built within 500 metres of their boundaries increasing by 135 per cent since 2012.

The CPRE has said there is a distinct divide between developments in the North and South, with 52 per cent of all planning permissions for development on greenfield land in AONBs having been granted in the South West and South East.

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The Yorkshire Post - England's most picturesque countryside at risk of being spoilt by housing developments, warns campaign group