A senior government advisor has called for a relaxation of green belt planning rules to increase the supply of rural housing.
In a report published on 11 November, Lord Haskins recommended that some of the Countryside Agency鈥檚 functions merge with those of fellow quangos English Nature and the Rural Development Agency, to form a new land management body.

Haskins, the former chairman of Northern Foods, also called for higher council taxes on second homes in the countryside.

Margaret Beckett, minister for the environment, food and rural affairs, welcomed the report and launched an immediate review of rural funding schemes.

She agreed to merge some of the Countryside Agency鈥檚 work with other bodies but refused to abolish the quango altogether.

鈥淭here will be a continued need for a smaller organisation providing independent policy advice on issues affecting rural communities,鈥� she said.

Source

Housing Today