Solihull MP backs Bill to prevent mis-selling of Greenbelt land for development

6.00.00am GMT Wed 9th Nov 2005

Lorely Burt MP has signed a Private Member's Bill by LibDem colleague Greg Mulholland MP to stop land banking of greenbelt land for development.

The Bill calls for the mis-selling of Green Belt land for development to be outlawed. Greenbelt land is bought by a land banking firm, who then sell off parcels of the land at inflated prices by persuading buyers to speculate on the likelihood of gaining planning permission, making huge profits.

Lorely Burt MP said: "This practise could potentially create a small army of investors, lobbying councils all over the country, intensifying pressure to build on green belt land. For investors, it is a one way street - they need planning permission to get their sizeable investment back. This is the last thing we need to threaten the preservation of green belt that

represents just 13% of our land area."

Mrs Burt, who has been short listed for a prestigious Culture and Heritage award for her work to preserve parkland and outlaw windfall development, will help steer the Bill through Parliament.