"The Government want to build 1.5million new houses. Developers have secured planning permission for over 1.4 million homes since 2007 but have not gone on to build them" [ IPPR - Institute of Public Policy Research - 14 February 2025 ] Why build on Green Belt ? Force the builders to use the sites they already have.

The Green Belt is a finite and precious resource. It must not be squandered and lost to our children and future generations. The development is inappropriate for Green Belt and will completely alter the largely rural nature of South Godstone. The proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt, would cause harm to openness and conflict with one of the purposes of the Green Belt namely the safeguarding of open countryside.

South Godstone does not have the infrastructure and other requirements appropriate to an influx of this magnitude. No community can withstand that rate of forced expansion.

The proposed site lies within designated Green Belt land, where development is not permitted unless under exceptional circumstances. This application does not demonstrate such circumstances and therefore contravenes national and local planning policies aimed at preserving the openness and ecological value of the Green Belt. Approving this development would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the integrity of protected land.

Green Belt land is designated to prevent urban sprawl and maintain open countryside. The current proposal would introduce built development into this area, altering its current character . The development is considered inappropriate within the Green Belt, as it would affect the openness both visually and spatially, and could intensify land use in the area. These changes are expected to be lasting and would alter the landscape, potentially leading to further urban expansion and a reduction of open countryside, which does not align with the intended purposes of the Green Belt.