THE GREAT DEBATE: Could Keir Starmer’s controversial plans to build houses on the ‘green belt’ solve the UK’s housing crisis?

Keir Starmer announced ambitious plans to address the housing crisis in his speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool today. 

As part of a ‘decade of national renewal,’ Starmer promised that Labour will develop a ‘new generation’ of towns, by building 1.5 million affordable homes over five years.

At the heart of Starmer’s ‘big build’ is a controversial plan to release ‘low-quality’ green belt land, like car parks and scrubland, so it can be converted into new housing developments, which Labour would brand the ‘grey belt.’

It’s not the first time Labour have pushed for ‘eco towns’ however. Back in 2007, Tony Blair‘s New Labour government made the case for developing similar housing developments, yet these were rejected due to negative reactions from the public. 

And once again, Labour are facing backlash for their plans to build on the previously protected green belt, which is currently the subject of heated debate. 

Supporters have praised Starmer’s proposal, calling it a sensible solution to the UK’s chronic shortage of housing and astronomical house prices. They also believe the move to be an effective strategy in appealing to younger voters, who have found it increasingly difficult to get onto the property ladder.

While critics of the policy argue that the real issue behind the housing crisis is over-population in urban areas, many are more concerned about the inevitable environmental impact of building on green belt lands. 

Some are suspicious of Starmer’s motives, believing this to be an attempt by Labour to capitalise on the declining popularity of the Tories and Rishi Sunak ahead of the election, with polls implying a further shift away from the government following the Conservative Party conference last week. 

In addition to this, doubts have been raised about whether the proposal could even come to pass, due to possible legal challenges slowing the plan and accusations of Starmer’s potential ties to the construction industry.

So what do YOU think? Should houses be built on the green-belt? Will the prospect of a new generation of towns and affordable homes help Labour get the millennial vote? Join the debate in the comments.