Should development be allowed on Green Belt land?

[Steve]

Discussion of the draft District Plan probably warrants a thread of it's own. However, the plan proposes taking some designated areas OUT of the green belt, so technically, once the plan is adopted, any permitted development thereon would not be on Green Belt land.

[robbiebgg]

I find it incredible that there is so much talk about building on green belt land. There is so much industrial and commercial land that is currently unused and laying vacant which would make perfect land for house building and negate any need to build on green belt. Problem yet again lies with our burueacrats that either refuse to consider a change of use or even if they do, the process takes so long, most developers would have given up and take the easier route of trying to build on green belt. In fairness Hertford itself has at least seen some non residential buildings turned into housing such as the hospital and old police station sites.

[codek2]

indeed. even london has masses of free space derelict which could be developed

here is a local example no one in their right mind would stay at that hotel its awful, so why not build houses there:
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/N ... 175244.htm" target="_blank