Michael Gove issues countryside warning over Keir Starmer's 'bulldozing' UK plans
The Conservatives have warned there are just three days to save the green belt.
Labour has been accused of “bulldozing” through the concerns of local communities on new homes and electricity pylons.Housing Secretary Michael Gove described Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship housing policies as a threat to Britain’s green spaces.
While Dame Priti Patel and campaigners slammed his Party’s plans for grid upgrades that ride roughshod over voters and nature.
Mr Gove, who is not standing for re-election on Thursday, said: “They don’t want to give local people a say over housing and will go as far as ignoring local communities in development plans.
“Be in no doubt, Labour’s flagship housing policies are a threat to our green spaces. They simply don’t care about concreting over the countryside and bulldozing through the concerns of local communities.”
The Labour Party manifesto has committed to building 1.5 million homes during the next parliament if the party forms the next government.
Sir Keir has pledged to “bulldoze through” planning restrictions even if it means overriding the concerns of residents near new developments.
Rosie Pearson, chair of the Community Planning Alliance, said: "The relentless 'bulldozing' rhetoric from senior Labour people is alarming in the extreme.
“There seems to be no sense of balance. Nature and communities in the countryside should be quaking in their boots. Nor does there seem to be any recognition that voters love nature and are proud of the British countryside.
“Countryside is often second only to the NHS in polls, and nearly 100,000 people marched for nature in London at the weekend. We can have all the things we need, from housing, to renewables to a grid upgrade without riding roughshod over voters and nature."
Labour plans to "hit the ground running" and launch a house building blitz within days of gaining power, Sir Keir and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have said in a joint interview at the weekend.
At least three housing announcements, including a local authority-led review of the green belt, are expected to be made within the first two weeks of a Labour government.
The Labour leader said: “I want to hit the ground running. I want to make sure that we can make a start on this on day one.”
Ms Reeves said there was an “urgency” for Labour to become the party of housebuilders because “we know that for kids like us today [from working-class backgrounds], some of those opportunities [to own a home] don’t exist”.
Meanwhile Dame Priti Patel called it “shameful” that Labour wants to “build over our countryside”. She has been campaigning against Labour’s support of over 100 miles of new electricity pylons across East Anglia, including her Witham constituency.
Dame Priti warned the plans will damage family homes, local recreational grounds, farmland and the countryside.
She said: “Communities are angry that Sir Keir Starmer has been boasting that he'll ignore the views and concerns of local people.
Don't miss...
Tories handed lifeline as poll shows Labour's vote share lowest in two years [NEWS]
Tories rage as they insist Oliver Dowden 'must not be anywhere near leadership' [REACTION]
Audience erupts as Nigel Farage blasts BBC over Question Time at Reform UK rally [LATEST]
“Britain’s electricity transmission network can be upgraded with new technology and alternatives like tunnelling or an offshore grid, not giant pylons.
“The Conservative Party has listened to these concerns and our manifesto pledges to review the planning policies for pylons.
“It's only by voting Conservative on 4 July that local communities will have a MP who will defend them and oppose pylons.”
Labour has been contacted for comment.
