'Garden grabbers' threatening suburban areas, councils warn

So-called "garden grabbing" has continued even during the recession, as developers scour maps for spare land and approach householders to try to convince them to sell some of their land, according to Leeds City Council, the region's largest local authority.

Another council – Calderdale – said there was increasing concern among residents that the "character of many pleasant suburban areas" was being threatened by the phenomenon.

Their warnings have emerged after the Government pledged to issue new guidance but said it was "not a widespread, national problem" and blamed local authorities for failing to have the right policies in place.

That infuriated the Tories, who blame regulations introduced by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott 10 years ago for giving developers the green light to concrete over gardens. The changes classified gardens as "brownfield land" like old factory sites and imposed minimum density targets.

Tory Shadow Communities Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Labour Ministers are in denial that the problems of garden grabbing stem from their own planning rules.

"Thanks to regulations issued by John Prescott, leafy gardens across Yorkshire are being dug up, and replaced with blocks of flats and high-density buildings that spell disaster for the local environment and local infrastructure."

The Government ordered research into the problems last year, amid concern at the scale of developments built on green space often in the suburbs. Sometimes home-owners with large gardens sell part of the plot to developers, or builders buy a large piece of land and demolish the existing house to make room for several properties.

Planners in Leeds said it was a "significant issue" for the city

council and deeply unpopular in local communities.

"It is known there are firms in the city scouring maps for spare land and approaching householders to get options," it said in a submission to Ministers.

"The developments tend to be poorly designed with a lack of respect for their surroundings and to the character of the area.

"Applications for developments of this type have continued despite the economic downturn."

Calderdale Council said the focus on brownfield land and density targets "has led to large gardens, and then increasingly smaller gardens, being identified by developers as having potential for housing development".

Barnsley Council also reported development on gardens was an issue, as did Wakefield, although it said it had strong policies in place.

Councillors in Craven said they had concerns that the character of rural parts of the district could be damaged, while Sheffield City Council said some residents had raised concerns and Kirklees said councillors were concerned about "inappropriate development".

East Riding, Hambleton and Rotherham councils, however, and the North York Moors Authority said it was not a major issue.

Housing Minister John Healey, MP for Wentworth, said: "Over time, so-called 'garden grabbing' can change the look and feel of a community without giving local people a choice, so it is good news that councils have told our independent experts that it is not a problem in the large majority of areas. I am determined to keep it that way."

He added: "Councils are leaving an open door for inappropriate development if they do not have local plans in place and the power to stop this lies in their hands."