Free Up Green-Belt Land for Housing, Says Policy Exchange

Green-belt land in England should be freed up for new housing developments, according to a centre-right thinktank established by the new planning minister, Nick Boles. In a report which warns of a "failing cycle" on planning, Policy Exchange says releasing 2% of English land for development would allow for the building of an extra 8m homes.  Boles was appointed to the politically sensitive post of planning minister in the recent reshuffle as the government announced plans to relax planning regulations to underwrite new housebuilding to the tune of £10bn.  But the report by Policy Exchange, the thinktank established by Boles in 2002, warns that the coalition's plans do not go far enough and the government should be prepared to build on the green belt.  Read more on the Guardian website.