UK: Gardens will no longer be classified as 'brownfield' land in an attempt to stop 'garden-grabbing', the coalition government has announced. James Evison reports.
The reclassification means gardens will not be 'previously residential land' anymore - the same category as disused factory and railway land.
Communities minister Greg Clark hopes the change will drive down densities in built-up areas such as Croydon, Sheffield and Leeds.
In January, the Labour Government had also proposed to tackle the issue in 'hotspots'.
"It is ridiculous that gardens have until now been classified in the same group as derelict factories and disused railway sidings, forcing councils and communities to sit by and watch their neighbourhoods get swallowed up in a concrete jungle," Mr Clark said.
"I am changing the classification of garden land so councils and communities no longer have their decisions constantly overruled, but have the power to work with industry to shape future development that is appropriate for their area."
