Garden-grabbing boom: Number of homes built on gardens doubles in just 10 years

The number of gardens concreted over to make way for houses and flats has soared under Labour, it emerged yesterday.

More than 22 per cent of new homes are built on former gardens and "previously residential land", according to Government figures.

When Labour came to power in 1997 the figure was 11 per cent.

Critics say the rise in "garden grabbing" is robbing cities and towns of vital breathing spaces and destroying havens for urban wildlife.

And, because gardens soak up rainwater, it is also increasing the risk of flash floods.

The loss of green space has been encouraged by a loophole in planning regulations which allows gardens to be classed as "brownfield" sites.

Whitehall has told planners to use brownfield sites for housing rather than build in rural areas.

The disturbing rise was revealed in a parliamentary answer to Tory MP Greg Clark.

"These figures prove that more and more gardens are being bulldozed under Labour," he said. "Ministers have ruthlessly exploited the absurd situation in which gardens are classified as brownfield land.

"This is how they achieve their brownfield development targets, not by regenerating derelict land but by destroying green space in our towns cities and suburbs.

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"All you need to do is close the loophole which says that gardens are classed as brownfield sites just like gasworks."

Nearly 30,000 of the 150,000 homes built each year are on gardens and demolished homes.

Garden grabbing happens when developers buy family homes or bungalows with large grounds.

The homes are demolished and usually replaced with apartments or other high-density buildings, often with no gardens at all.

Although planners may have concerns about overcrowding or the loss of green spaces, developments usually get the go-ahead.

The problem is worst in the South-East of England. In 2006, the last year for which figures are available, 32 per cent of homes were built on "previously residential land". In 1997 the figure was 16 per cent.

In London, around 29 per cent of new homes are garden grab developments, while in the East the figure is 24 per cent. The North-East has the least garden grabbing.

Mr Clark, the MP for Tunbridge Wells, said such developments did little to meet housing demand.

"The greatest need is for affordable family homes," he added. "But what developers are building are one or two bedroom executive flats."

But housing minister Ian Wright accused the Tories of being "disingenuous". "These figures include the replacement of rundown houses and estates," he added.

Mr Wright said: "Only a fraction involve development on back gardens. We are building more homes than ever on former industrial sites."