Rural defence

When David Cameron brought Nicholas Boles into his government in last September's ministerial shuffle at the Department of Communities and Local Government few had heard of him even though he had been director of Policy Exchange, a leading right-wing think tank. Now he is better known, although not necessarily in a way favourable to his career-building ambitions. Although Mr Boles is Planning Minister he seems not to have realised that opponents of countryside development among Conservative back benchers and in the constituencies rank only with the eurosceptics for devotion to their cause. So his statement at the end of last week that Britain's housing problem would be solved by building on “an additional 2 to 3 per cent of England's land” -- the equivalent of two new Greater Londons -- quickly brought shouts of protests from the conservationists, among them Sir Andrew Motion, chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who called the minister “incredibly irresponsible”. Not only that, he was also incredibly sloppy in stating that nine per cent of England is currently built on whereas the correct figure is twelve per cent.

This government is constantly suggesting that coutryside protection measures should be eased to allow more building and Mr Boles introduced a new approach by saying that “having a garden in England is a basic moral right like healthcare and education.” If only.