The RICS has criticised government policies which penalise greenfield schemes, claiming they will hinder development in the North of England.
Capita DBS consultant Tim Ellams, on behalf of the RICS in the North West, said that the government’s planning reforms were unlikely to help areas such as Cumbria because it is largely devoid of brownfield sites.
He said: “This could mean very little development because new tax levies would make it prohibitively expensive to build on greenfield sites.
“The only site in North Cumbria currently fulfilling criteria for the planning reforms is the former MOD site, Kingmoor Park, near Carlisle.”
The government’s planning reforms propose using tax levies to enforce policy demands that at least 60% of new development takes place on brownfield sites.
Ellams believes that the policy would prevent development from taking place where it could have the most significant economic benefits.
He said: “There is pressure to build in Cumbria – particularly close to the M6.
“A two-tier system which takes lack of brownfield sites into account might be more suitable if Cumbria is to attract the investment it needs to continue creating employment and developing both industry and commerce.”
EGi News 12/08/02
