West Yorkshire is an area of contrasts. While the county contains several cities and large towns, as well as numerous other towns and villages, there are also significant areas of beautiful open countryside. Green Belts cover much of this countryside, and as such, the protection of the county’s Green Belts is a primary concern for CPRE West Yorkshire.

In March 2012 the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) replaced all the previous national planning policies including that for Green Belts. Although the NPPF states clearly that it attaches great importance to Green Belts, and leaves established policy largely unchanged, Green Belt land is under greater threat than before due to the pro growth and development policies contained in the NPPF.

Our view When we lose open Green Belt land, we lose more than just a view, a space to run or play, valuable farmland, or an easy escape from the town or city. We lose land that has its own identity and plays its own role in our heritage.

Although Green Belts in West Yorkshire are an essential tool to direct development to previously developed land in urban centres, areas where new investment is desperately needed, Green Belt land is also important for our wider environment. Green Belts provide us with the trees and the undeveloped land which reduce the effect of the heat generated by large urban areas. Instead of reducing this green space, we should be using it to its best effect.

We know from CPRE research that in Yorkshire and the Humber almost 90% of the population would like to see more trees planted and more food grown in the areas around towns and cities. Green Belt land is ideally placed to do this – providing more local produce which will help the environment again, by reducing food miles.

CPRE West Yorkshire believes that the openness of Green Belt land needs to be cherished and protected permanently. That way, Green Belts will protect our unique countryside and help regenerate our proud towns and cities.