David Ruffley MP has today released new House of Commons figures which reveal that in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available, 20 percent of new homes in Suffolk were built on former back gardens.

Under present planning rules, because gardens are classed as brownfield sites, just like a derelict factory or railway siding, they are subject to a presumption in favour of development. This means it is difficult for local councils to refuse planning permission without the risk that their decision is overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

Within the Mid Suffolk District Council area 31 percent of all new dwellings were built on previously residential land. Within St Edmundsbury the figure was 12 percent.

David said:

'Local councils have lost a lot of power in determining the suitability of a planning application because, quite ludicrously, the definition of brownfield sites includes garden space.

'This loophole has led to mature family homes being demolished and replaced by apartment blocks and carparks covering the whole footprint of the site- house and garden included.

'Suffolk residents have become seemingly powerless to prevent the overdevelopment of their local area because even if their local council sides with them the Planning Inspectorate, which enforces Government policy, is likely to overturn the decision.

'We need to return the power to local people and their elected representatives. On too many occasions we see rows of houses going up, in place of a single house, without any consideration for the surrounding area.

'Across Suffolk 20 percent of new housing has been built on 'garden-grabbed' land while in Mid Suffolk that figure stands at a massive 31 percent.

'Of course there is a need for more housing, especially affordable housing, but we need to give local people and local councils a much greater say in where this is built.'