CPRE hits out at housing plan

Government plans to create up to 90,000 new homes in the Thames Gateway have been criticised by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

In its latest report CPRE claims that green belt land will be destroyed if the current redevelopment plans for the 80km stretch from east and south-east London to Kent and Essex go ahead.

A total of 60,000 have been earmarked for the London part of the site.

Although CPRE said it backed the creation of new homes it was concerned about the loss of "fragile habitats".

It also added that London's housing shortage problems can be solved by building only on brownfield sites.