Brownfield site law change would be welcomed by some

16:06:20 9th June 2010

Councillors in Watford would welcome more powers to prevent the redevelopment of gardens rather than Brownfield sites, which may have once housed a Capital Steel Building.

Backyards are currently bracketed with derelict industrial buildings and factories under the category of Brownfield sites, reports the Watford Observer.

Developers can construct new housing on these sites with little resistance from the council under the present law but the new government plan to give local authorities more powers.

The practice of 'garden grabbing' will be banned in a move that should prevent backyards from being developed.

Councillor Steve Racket, Green party leader at Watford Borough Council, told the news provider: "Gardens are fantastic habitats for urban wildlife and the council should be allowed to prevent building on them."

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott condemned the repeal of 'garden grabbing' on BBC Radio 4, stating that it would curb the development of affordable housing.

Affordable housing is supposed to meet the needs of the community when the housing market has not.

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