PRESS RELEASE

11 August 2003

GOVERNMENT'S ARTICLE 4 DECISION IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR KENLEY GREEN BELT SAYS OTTAWAY

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has welcomed the Government's decision to grant a permanent article 4* direction for the green belt land between Kenley Lane and Hawkhirst Road in Kenley.

This follows the activities of a speculative property company who purchased land in Kenley's greenbelt, subdivided this land into plots, then sold these plots to purchases who were misled about development prospects.

The appearance of the land has been degraded by the erection of posts and fences for which there is normally no requirement for a planning application. However, the granting of an article 4 direction means that a planning application is now required to erect these enclosures.

Richard Ottaway says:-

"I am delighted that the Secretary of State has seen sense and decided to support the efforts to Croydon Council by granting this article 4 direction. These property companies will now have to think twice before buying green belt land to divide up and sell off."

For further information please call 020 7219 6392.

*Note for editors:- General permission to erect a gate, fence or wall is granted by Schedule 2 Part 2 of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995 (the GPDO). An article 4 direction under the GPDO requires a planning application to be submitted to the local planning authority for proposals which would not normally require one. Government guidance to local authorities emphasises that these powers should be used only n exceptional circumstances where there is a real threat to the amenities of a limited area.