GETTY Almost 275,000 homes will be built on Green Belt land said the Campaign to Protect Rural England

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Nearly 275,000 homes are to be built on land supposed to be safeguarded to prevent urban sprawl, the Campaign to Protect Rural England said. The figure marks a 50,000 increase on last year and an increase of 200,000 since the Government introduced its planning reforms four years ago. Schemes include one of the biggest on the belt in decades – 1,500 new homes to be built between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

They were sanctioned by Communities and Local Government Secretary Greg Clark last month.

We need stronger protection, not just supportive words and empty promises Paul Miner, of the CPRE

This followed proposals in the Government’s planning policy consultation to release small sites in the Green Belt for “starter homes”. Yet last year Mr Cameron claimed that the protection of the “precious” belt was “paramount”. Last night’s report, Green Belt Under Siege, based on councils’ draft and adopted plans, said boundaries are being changed to accommodate housing at the fastest rate for two decades.

GETTY The figure represents an increase of 200,000 since the Government reformed planning laws

GETTY Despite the figures the Prime Minister described the protection of the Green Belt as 'paramount'

It urged the use of previously developed “brownfield” sites for new homes. Paul Miner, of the CPRE, said: “We need stronger protection, not just supportive words and empty promises.”

GETTY A report urged the use of brownfield sites for new homes