Conservative Justice Minister Chris Philp has ignited a political firestorm after suggesting that prized London green space Epping Forest could potentially be sold off for housing development.
The controversial remarks came during a tense exchange on BBC's Question Time programme, where Philp clashed with Labour MP David Lammy over government housebuilding targets.
Heated Exchange Over Housing Crisis
During the programme filmed in Philp's Croydon constituency, the minister defended the government's decision to abandon mandatory housing targets for local authorities. When challenged by Lammy about protecting London's green spaces while addressing the housing shortage, Philp pointed to the capital's numerous protected areas.
"We have huge amounts of green belt in London," Philp stated. "If you travel on the train from London to Birmingham, about half of it is fields the whole way."
'Deeply Offensive' Suggestion
The debate took a dramatic turn when Philp specifically mentioned Epping Forest, asking: "Do we need all of it? I don't know. Maybe we don't."
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy immediately condemned the suggestion, calling it "deeply offensive" to Londoners who cherish their accessible green spaces.
"Epping Forest is the most wonderful resource," Lammy countered. "It is where many, many Londoners who don't have gardens go."
Historical Protection Under Threat?
Epping Forest holds special protected status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a conservation area since 1878. The ancient woodland spans approximately 2,400 hectares between east London and Essex, providing crucial recreational space for millions of residents.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has seized on the comments, accusing the Conservatives of being "all over the shop" on housing policy while reaffirming his party's commitment to building on brownfield sites rather than protected green spaces.
Growing Political Fallout
The incident has sparked immediate backlash from environmental groups and political opponents, who see it as evidence of the government's willingness to sacrifice protected landscapes to meet housing demands.
As London continues to grapple with its acute housing crisis, the debate highlights the ongoing tension between development needs and environmental preservation in one of the world's major capital cities.
