Reform UK's housing policy has been described as "nonsensical" by housing experts, who argue that its proposal to build on the green belt would actually worsen the housing crisis.
Policy Under Fire
The party's manifesto, launched earlier this month, promised to "rip up" planning rules and allow building on protected green belt land. However, a report from the Centre for Cities thinktank found that only 12% of green belt land is suitable for development, and building there would not solve the affordability crisis.
The report's author, Anthony Breach, said: "Reform's housing policy is nonsensical. It would concrete over the countryside without delivering the homes people need."
Lack of Infrastructure
The report also criticised the lack of infrastructure investment in Reform's plans, noting that building on green belt without new transport links would lead to car-dependent communities.
Reform has defended its policy, saying it would "free up land" for housing and boost home ownership. But the Centre for Cities argues that the party has not explained how it would fund the necessary infrastructure.
Impact on Housing Crisis
The report concludes that Reform's policy would do little to address the root causes of the housing crisis, such as a lack of social housing and high construction costs. It suggests that a more effective approach would be to focus on brownfield sites and urban regeneration.
Reform has yet to respond to the report's findings.
