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Travel + Leisure
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Caribbean Island Is Famous For Beautiful Beaches and All-inclusive Resorts—and It's the Birthplace of Reggae and Jerk Cooking
For over 70 years, Half Moon has been one of the most iconic resorts in the Caribbean, exuding a refined elegance that stands the test of time. From Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay to hidden stretches of sand at the far reaches of the island, there's a beach for every occasion in Jamaica. Head to the hillside near Ocho Rios for a family-run, farm-to-table dining experience at Stush in the Bush, getting to the heart of Jamaica's tropical bounty with authentic island flavors. Visit the sprawling estates of the island's interior to sip some of the world's best coffee amidst the untouched expanses of the Blue Mountains. Less-visited Port Antonio feels remote and removed, hiding some of the island's best beaches and surprisingly cool accommodations in a destination that is nothing short of a tropical paradise. Amidst a sea of indistinguishable beaches and impersonal all-inclusive resorts, only a lucky few Caribbean-bound travelers dive deeper to explore the profound depths and unbridled richness of what the region has to offer. However, even the casual observer can sense that one island breaks the mold of all the others. Jamaica conjures captivating images all its own: the rhythms of reggae, jerk chicken best served beachside, and a shoreline punctuated by stretches of sand spanning every shade from white to glimmering gold. Even so, any local or seasoned Jamaica traveler who has gone further than the resort strip of Montego Bay can tell you that the island has still more to explore and experience. "Adventure-seekers can go cliff-jumping or hike the Blue Mountains. Foodies can try the best of jerk cuisine and fresh seafood. If you're looking for wellness, find peaceful resorts that offer yoga, luxurious spas, Ital cuisine, and excursions to natural springs and waterfalls," says Shernette Crichton, general manager at the historic Half Moon in Montego Bay. It's that profound abundance of appeal that has, for decades, made Jamaica one of the most perennially popular and captivating destinations in the Caribbean, drawing return visitors year after year. More than just the sum of its stereotypes, Jamaica is a force all its own, "an island that truly meets you where you're at," she muses. Courtesy of Sandals Resorts One of the most iconic resorts in the Caribbean, Half Moon has spread gracefully across the white sands of Montego Bay for more than 70 years. 400 seaside acres hide a championship golf course, multiple award-winning restaurants, an equestrian center, and an expansive spa and wellness space. But Half Moon is much more than its amenities; its most defining feature is how it effortlessly wears its decades of elegance while seamlessly integrating modern luxuries in a way that has kept it at the cutting edge. Choose from accommodations within the historic Founder's Cove or more modern rooms, suites, and residences at Eclipse by Half Moon. Coming soon, the refreshed Villas at Half Moon will offer getaways with space for the whole family. Nestled between a championship golf course and the shimmering expanses of the Caribbean Sea, The Tryall Club is a collection of 74 private villas that, in many ways, is far from a classic Caribbean resort experience. Each villa at this 2,200-acre seaside property outside of Montego Bay has its dedicated staff, including a butler, chef, housekeeper, and more, giving it a home-away-from-home feel. Escape to the new spa or the Great House for gatherings with fellow guests. The brand-new Ooshan Bar and Restaurant is another highlight, featuring a modern twist on classic Jamaican flavors for lunch and dinner, though sunset hour cocktails with views over the water are hard to beat. Clinging to the cliffside in Negril, Tensing Pen is a historic boutique hotel so special that it was chosen by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the best hotels in the world last year. Natural materials like local stone and wood used throughout the property's design make it meld into the island's rocky, rugged coastline, while amenities like a spa, yoga studio, and culinary experiences highlighting colorful Caribbean cuisine lend it a refinement that has long made it a stand-out place to stay. Its boutique size and tucked-away feel make it a romantic destination perfect for a reclusive vacation. Celebrity guests like the Rolling Stones and Bob Marley have been plunging from the cliffs at Rockhouse Hotel & Spa in Negril since the 1970s, a storied past that lends an impossibly cool air to this 40-room property considered among the island's best boutique hotels. There are a number of different room styles to choose from here, though the thatched-roof villas made with hewn stone that dot the cliffside are breathtaking with their ocean views. Amidst so many other highlights, the culinary experience deserves attention, with menus at both restaurants that read like love letters to the island with ingredients from the oversized hydroponic greenhouse. Jamaica didn't invent the all-inclusive vacation, but it certainly perfected it. Emerging from a top-to-toe transformation, Sandals Dunn's River is one of the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. The property is newly foodie-focused with more than a dozen restaurants, and it feels deeply rooted in place with local art and design. 260 rooms come in 14 different categories, lending the property the unique ability to cater to every style of traveler and size of group. Still to come? The stretch of sand next door to this Ocho Rios institution is set to be transformed into Sandals Royal Dunn's River. Rafting in Martha Brae River. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure It's impossible to overstate the beachy beauty of Jamaica. Make Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay your first stop before escaping to the world-famous Seven Mile Beach near Negril for, you guessed it, seven pristine miles of blissfully white sand. For more untouched shores, Frenchman's Cove in Portland is just as renowned for its natural feel as for the jerk chicken stands that set up shop nearby. South coast beaches, barely visited, feel like one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. There are a million and one reasons to venture into the verdant, rainforest-coated interior of Jamaica, but if we have to pick just one, we will choose rafting down the Martha Brae River outside of Montego Bay every single time. This is a rafting experience without a rapid in sight. Instead, slink slowly down the gentle river on a flat bamboo raft, drifting beneath tropical foliage. It's just as dreamy as it sounds, though it's best to avoid days when cruise ships are in port, as the river can feel busy. The Bob Marley Museum, housed within the musician's former Kingston home, is an obligatory stop in Jamaica for any music lover. Pair the experience of an hour-long guided visit with a musical salute to the star by stopping at some of the island's most beloved reggae venues: Dubwise in the capital, Roots Bamboo in Negril, or the famous Pier 1 in Montego Bay. Diehard fans will want to plan their entire visit around Reggae Sumfest in July or Rebel Salute in January, with unforgettable shows that feature the homegrown and internationally renowned stars of reggae. Travelers tend to flock to the stunning ultramarine sinkhole known as the Blue Hole in Ocho Rios, but we recommend skipping it in favor of the Blue Lagoon instead. Far fewer visitors make it to this stunning natural attraction, known for its impenetrably turquoise water, so mesmerizing that it was once thought to be bottomless. Visitors can paddle across its still surface on flat bamboo rafts or swim out to nearby monkey-less Monkey Island and spend the afternoon relaxing on its beautiful beach. Grown in just a sliver of the high altitudes of the Blue and John Crow Mountain ranges, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is highly coveted, offering a unique flavor experience that coffee fans can't miss. Try it straight from the source at the historic Craighton Estate overlooking Kingston, or sign up for a tour that includes hiking and biking across multiple spots in the mountains. Spend the night at nearby Strawberry Hill, a boutique mountain property owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, to get the full Blue Mountain experience. A Jamaican curry dish. from_my_point_of_view/Getty Images A winding route out of Ocho Rios through the immense lushness of the island's interior leads to Stush in the Bush, a vegan farm-to-table dining experience lovingly curated by Chris and Lisa Binns. This creative couple champions Ital cuisine, a plant-based culinary movement particular to Jamaica, welcoming visitors into their world with a farm tour and thoughtful dinner of handcrafted, locally-grown delights. Make sure to book ahead; this dining experience and mountainside destination is so beloved it made our list of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Tucked into the mountainside that starts just meters from the sand, Half Moon's famed Sugar Mill is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Caribbean. It offers a white tablecloth fine dining experience inside an 18th-century sugar mill surrounded by magical gardens illuminated by hanging lights. The menu calls on beloved Caribbean flavors and staple ingredients for highlights ranging from pumpkin soup to jerk-seasoned grilled short ribs and fresh fish. When it comes to fine dining in Jamaica, it is only potentially upstaged by Half Moon's newer Delmare restaurant, where Italian influences meet local flavors for inspirational dishes like Blue Mountain coffee-infused pasta. "Scotchies is iconic for a reason–make sure to try the jerk chicken and pork," says Crichton of this Montego Bay institution, which many argue is the best jerk on the island. The rustic setup under thatched roofs is all part of the appeal as diners await large portions of expertly grilled and seasoned meats with rice and beans best enjoyed with a crisp, cold Red Stripe. "For a more romantic setting, try The HouseBoat Grill, a floating restaurant in a marina that is great for seafood lovers," says Crichton. Just as its name implies, this oversized two-story vessel sits moored in the tranquil waters of Montego Bay, serving an extensive menu of mostly seafood dishes, but with a little something for every diner. A small ship ferries locals and visitors alike across the waves for lunch and dinner service, though sunset is the best time to enjoy. A person enjoying a beach near Montego Bay. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Montego Bay is the undisputed beach capital of the island, with hotels and resorts of every shape and size lining its powdery fine sands. This is the ultimate destination for travelers looking for a convenient and quick fly-and-flop style getaway, though there are still quite a number of things to see and do in the area. Visit Martha Brae River and enjoy ziplining and hiking in the hillsides, or visit Rose Hall Great House for a look into the island's history. The coastline of Negril, located on the west side of the island, feels impossibly varied, ranging from beautiful stretches of sand to craggy cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea. Stay at Tensing Pen or Rockhouse Hotel & Spa for the raw beauty of the rocky shoreline, or something more classically Caribbean like Beaches Negril for a family-friendly stay along a white-sand beach. Ocho Rios feels like a getaway within a getaway, home to an impressive number of resorts and hotels yet removed and relaxed enough for some serious R&R. Make sure to swim in the Blue Hole and hike to nearby Dunn's River Falls, or head to Mystic Mountain for ziplining and jungle bobsledding. Fans of 007 rejoice: Ocho Rios is also home to GoldenEye, where Ian Fleming wrote the original James Bond stories, and James Bond Beach, where Dr. No was filmed in 1962. Even if you're itching to hit the beach, don't skip Kingston. There is plenty to see and do in Jamaica's vibrant capital city, from the must-visit Bob Marley Museum and the National Gallery of Jamaica to award-winning restaurants and buzzing dance halls. Cap your visit to the city with a stop at Devon House, part monument and part gastronomic destination, where visitors can chow down on everything from lobster-stuffed patties and jerk chicken to Jamaican stout-flavored ice cream. On Jamaica's less-visited eastern side, Port Antonio feels utterly tranquil and untouched compared to some of the island's more sizeable seaside towns. Come here for surfing, hidden cove beaches, and delicious local food at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Starting this year, guests can even stay at Diplo's house, one of the most hotly anticipated new properties in the Caribbean, for sweeping views overlooking the mountainside and ocean. People on a Jamaica beach during sunset. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure The best time to visit Jamaica is between December and April, when crystal-clear skies and slightly cooler temps make for gorgeous stretches of weeks on end that seem tailor-made for a trip to the beach. Such dreamy weather draws visitors escaping snow and ice back home, so expect beaches to be busier and prices higher during this season. May provides a small window where visitors can enjoy nice weather with smaller crowds and lower prices, but with the start of the Atlantic hurricane season in June comes an increased likelihood of warmer, wetter weather. Hurricane season lasts through November, but travelers who don't mind a higher risk of rainy skies will quickly find that Jamaica can be a beautiful destination year-round. "For a cultural high, plan to visit around Carnival in April," advises Kenton Jones, managing director of The Tryall Club. Jamaica's Carnival celebrations are some of the biggest and most boisterous in the Caribbean, complete with parades, parties, and over-the-top costumes made for getting down to calypso and soca music. Music lovers will want to plan a trip to Montego Bay's annual Reggae Sumfest, which draws a lineup of the biggest names in reggae for parties that last from dawn to dusk. Jamaica has two primary international airports: Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. For travelers headed to the beach, flying into Montego Bay tends to be the best option, offering decent proximity and shorter travel times to popular destinations on the north and west coasts, like Ocho Rios and Negril. Kingston is the best choice for travelers sticking to the city or headed to destinations like the Blue Mountains and Port Antonio on the east side of the island. Whether flying through Montego Bay or Kingston, travelers should have no problem finding convenient flights; these airports are among the busiest and best-served in the Caribbean. Aerial over Falmouth port in Jamaica. You may be just as surprised as I was to learn that driving around the entire island of Jamaica can take up to 16 hours. Distances here are further than expected, so leave plenty of travel time in your itinerary if you plan to crisscross the island. "Renting a car is an option if you like flexibility and do not mind driving Jamaican-style," says Jones, though drivers should be aware that traffic flows on the left side of the road, a vestige of British rule. For those who'd prefer to leave navigating island roads to the more experienced, "I'd recommend hiring a private driver to get around the island," says Crichton. "It makes day trips easier and allows you to have flexibility while customizing your own tour of Jamaica." Or, for a more budget-friendly option, consider Knutsford Express for reliable and air-conditioned coach service. For local trips, travelers can rely on taxis. While rideshare apps like Uber exist in major cities in Jamaica, driver shortages can make rides expensive. Uber has also faced pushback from local leaders, making upcoming changes in usage and fees likely.
CNET
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Google's Latest Doodle Lets You Duel the Moon. Here's How to Play and Win
Google's home page logo is moonlighting as a strategy card game on Friday. If you click on Friday's Google Doodle, celebrating the lunar cycle, you'll go into a click-to-play card battler that turns the moon's eight phases into your own personal combo deck. In the game, called Rise of the Half Moon: May, you play against the moon to link matching moon phases, chasing specific card combinations to get more points. If you outscore the moon, you move on and can snag wildcard power-ups for the following rounds, where the game progressively gets larger and more difficult. This interactive doodle, which marks the Flower Moon's final half-lit quarter, is just the latest entry in Google's recurring Half Moon series. Google Doodles began in 1998 and over the years have ranged from simple sketches to interactive games and puzzles, but this is certainly one of the more intricate ones in recent months. See 53 of our favorite Google Doodles here. Not sure how to start? Here's what you need to know. What exactly is the May's half moon? May's half moon is the month's third-quarter phase, which is the moment when the moon has orbited three-quarters of the way around Earth and sunlight illuminates exactly half its disk. It's the final quarter, or "half moon" phase of this month's lunar cycle. This year, the half moon occurs on May 20 at 4:56 AM PT. From the northern hemisphere, you'll see the left side glowing, and in the southern hemisphere, the right side shines. This month's lunar cycle is dubbed the Flower Moon, because it coincides with the colorful wildflowers that bloom across North America and Europe this time of year. Check out these knockout shots of the Flower Moon as taken by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers on the International Space Station. How the Flower Moon game works The Rise of the Half Moon starts out on a 3x3 grid. Each turn you choose one of three random moon-phase cards and place it on the board. Here's how you score points: Pairing phases : Drop two identical cards side-by-side (1 point). : Drop two identical cards side-by-side (1 point). Making a full moon : Combine complementary phases (ex. waning crescent + waxing gibbous) (2 points). : Combine complementary phases (ex. waning crescent + waxing gibbous) (2 points). Completing a cycle: Lay cards in the exact lunar order, new moon through waning crescent. (3 cards or more, 1 point per card). If you beat the moon three times in a row, you'll unlock a monthly wildcard with a special power in the game. This month, you have four wildcards up for grabs, as long as you clear all nine boards. As you move on, the layout begins to grow beyond the 3x3 grid, and the game exponentially gets more difficult to win. How to play (and actually win) This is May's Flower Moon doodle on the Google homepage. Google To play the game, go to the Google homepage and click on the doodle. The game will load in a pop-up. Next, scan the board. Lines connect the squares, showing how you can link them for combinations. You should plan your placements on those pathways. Then finally, play a card from your hand. You'll always have three cards, but you should always think ahead. The moon, who is your opponent, will use your cards against you, so you should think not only about offense, but also defense, when you place your card. A few tips from playing:
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Letter: Mike Bradwell obituary
While he was a student at the East 15 Acting School in 1967, Mike Bradwell, along with Rob Walker, who went on to run the Half Moon theatre in Alie Street, Whitechapel, worked as a fly-man, lowering and raising scenery, on Joan Littlewood's production of The Marie Lloyd Story at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. I was in it, aged 19, but didn't get to talk to Mike until decades later. He told me that, after a performance, he introduced himself to Joan at the bar. 'What do you want to do?' she asked him. 'Form my own company,' he answered. 'Well fuck off and get on with it,' said Joan. He did.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Mike Berry death: Singer and last surviving Are You Being Served? star dies, aged 82
Singer Mike Berry, who was the last surviving star of the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, has died, aged 82. The British star, who starred in the much-loved series as Mr Spooner from 1981 to 1985, died peacefully at his home on Friday, 11 April. Berry's manager and friend, Peter Stockton, announced the news on Facebook. 'It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform everyone that the legendary Mike Berry died peacefully this morning, his family members by his bedside,' he wrote. As well as Are You Being Served?, Berry also appeared in 23 episodes of the original Worzel Gummidge series, playing Mr Peters from 1979 to 1981. Berry launched his career in the entertainment industry as a singer and had two hit singles in the Sixties: 'Don't You Think It's Time' and 'Tribute to Buddy Holly'. At the time, he was referred to as Britain's answer to 'Peggy Sue' singer Buddy Holly. The singer toured with both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as he rose to fame and had another hit in the Eighties with 'Sunshine of Your Smile'. Most recently, Berry played a sold-out show at the Half Moon pub in Putney, London, with backing from the band The Outlaws. Stockton said of his friend's career: 'As we all know, Mike was an amazing, highly talented performer whose career spanned 64 years - his first hit being the haunting 'Tribute to Buddy Holly' in 1961. 'His last show on February 23 at The Half Moon was a sell out, and was testimony to his superb talent. He was also a gifted actor, highlighted by his performances in the iconic comedy Are You Being Served?. 'A tragic loss to our world of music,' he continued. 'And I hope that he is now having a laugh with many of his old pals up in heaven.' Tributes to Berry were quickly posted online following the news. His friend David Stark added: 'I knew Mike for almost 50 years since 1976, one of the nicest guys in the biz always with a laugh and a smile. 'His excellent sold-out show at the Half Moon Putney was only a few weeks ago, he was on terrific form and was due to do another one in the summer,' he added. 'Very, very sad news indeed, RIP Mike you will be missed by everyone who knew you and your music for all these years.' 'Still think of him as young Mr Spooner,' another person added. 'Lovely man, I heard.'
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘There is not enough room': The village at the forefront of Starmer's green-belt revolution
Ignore the cars haring down the A30 and Grove End is practically picturesque: almost 12 acres of (mostly) green fields, framed by trees and two cottages perched atop the slope, a stone's throw from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's royal residence at Bagshot Park. The area, sandwiched between the villages of Bagshot and Windlesham, Surrey, has been protected from development for the best part of a century thanks to its green-belt status. But after the Government's reclassification of 'low-quality' green-belt areas to 'grey belt' – which can now be built upon – Bagshot has found itself on the front line of Sir Keir Starmer's housing strategy. This is, some locals fear, 'the thin end of the wedge'; a plan that could not only shatter the identities of England's historical villages, but become a green light to turn ancient woodlands and nature reserves into tower blocks. Strategy overhauls and policy rewrites mean that last year's rejected planning application for 135 homes in Grove End has, as of this month, been overturned. This about-turn is 'daft', according to Gill Bensman, whose family has lived in Bagshot since the 1700s. 'It's just ridiculous; there is not enough room,' the 55-year-old tells me from the Half Moon, a pub a mile down the road from the development site. With schools, roads and doctors' surgeries full, 'the infrastructure just really just can't handle it,' she says of pressures that are leading to 'horrendous' pollution and eroding the pleasures of local life. 'It's not a village anymore.' Ahead of last Wednesday's Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves outlined a £2 billion pledge to build 18,000 more affordable homes in England, which the chancellor said would go some way to 'fixing the housing crisis'. It builds on promises made by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, who last year called the dearth of housebuilding under the Conservative government a sign of its 'scandalous legacy… We simply do not have enough homes.' Labour has committed to building 1.5 million properties by the end of its election term in 2029; the equivalent of 300,000 per year, a figure not reached since the 1970s. A big swath of those homes, Labour insists, will come from building on the grey belt – much of which 'isn't green rolling hills but poor-quality scrub-land', Rayner said. According to their 'golden rules' of housing development, 'councils should build on brownfield land [which has been built on previously, and is now either abandoned or under-used] first, and any grey-belt development should prioritise previously developed land – like disused car parks,' according to a spokesman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 'Our reforms will protect our natural landscapes and deliver the homes and infrastructure we need, so we can restore the dream of home ownership to families across the country.' The green belt is thought to account for 12.6 per cent of land in England, less than 1 per cent of which could be considered grey belt, according to analysis from Knight Frank. But many remain frustrated that glib wording outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December is rife for misinterpretation, with irreversible results. In February, Lord Moylan, the peer leading an inquiry into the Government's planning reforms, said that this would result in 'speculative applications to test the boundaries of the definition', with formerly protected areas left to pay the price. Grove End has never been developed, for instance, and appears to defy a core objective of the green belt – to maintain separate towns, and stop them merging into one another via urban sprawl. 'The way it's worded is really strange,' Richard Wilson, a councillor for the Bagshot ward who sat on the planning committee, says of the NPPF. During the appeal a fortnight ago, 'the barrister for the developer argued that they're literally not towns' – Bagshot and Windlesham are villages – so the existing rules did not apply. Semantics, he explains over the roar of the A30, is 'why we've lost' – plus the cash required by councils to fight developers. 'So much money is involved in this' – Wilson says that hiring a consultant cost the council £8,000, which 'has obviously gone down the drain… It's an arms race that the council can't participate in,' according to the 53-year-old. 'It's a losing battle we're fighting now.' A spokesman for Somerston Development Projects, Grove End's developers, said that the site 'will bring forward much-needed affordable housing to the area – providing local homes for local people', as well as improving access to Windlesham golf course. Half the homes on the plot will be affordable, according to plans submitted to Surrey Heath council, meeting the minimum requirement outlined in the Government's golden rules for grey-belt development. Some locals are more positive about the plans. Shirley Day, who has run Bagshot's gift shop for the past 27 years, says: 'It won't affect me, except it could bring in customers.' Day, 80, agrees that there need to be more affordable homes in the area, but has found a growing disconnect between new arrivals and local life. The same has been true of the local Waitrose, opened in 2015 (in a ribbon-cutting ceremony helmed by Michael Gove); and the influx of buyers who poured into the area during Covid. Newer residents tend not to mosey through local spots in the village, she says, instead using the opportunity to live somewhere greener than they did before, commute to work, and engage in little else in the locale. Much as she hopes Grove End will prove useful for business, 'I don't think it will [encourage people into Bagshot],' she mulls. 'No, not at all… It will be good for them [to live in the area], but I can't see it's going to be any different for the village – except the traffic.' Allan Howland, who runs an estate agent in Bagshot village with his three sons, agrees too that 'we need more housing. But the builders just cram properties in, and it just makes it a very unpleasant place to live.' The area can cope with more development, Howland, 65, says, but Grove End – a comparatively small space hamstrung by its proximity to the Duke and Duchess's residence, protected nesting bird zones and being ringed by the A30 and A322 – makes it a curious choice. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the average house price in Surrey Heath was £443,000 in 2024 (compared with £282,000 in the UK), up 4.7 per cent from the year prior. Nearly a third of UK 25- to 29-year-olds still live with their parents, compared with 20 per cent in the year 2006-07 – and, with building sluggish, skilled workers dwindling, mortgage rates substantially higher than they were during the pandemic and the fall in stamp duty thresholds slashing ownership prospects for many first-time buyers, serious concerns remain about encouraging people on to the housing ladder. Existing empty homes could be part of the solution. There are more than 600,000 dwellings in England currently vacant, and more than 200,000 second homes in part-time use. 'The planning system is already making great efforts to bring long-term vacant homes back into use, and to enable the redevelopment of brownfield sites. But there simply aren't enough of either to meet the need for new homes,' says Paul Smith, the director of the the Strategic Land Group, a company that helps secure planning permission for landowners. 'Increasing the size of our housing stock to the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] average would need another three million homes to be built' – making the Government's 1.5 million target 'a drop in the ocean compared to that level of need. Delivering an adequate number of new homes will need our towns and cities to grow both upwards and outwards, and grey-belt policy is one of the tools that will help manage that.' Research in 2019 showed that green-belt policies reduced housing construction in green belts by around 80 per cent, leading to a 4 per cent increase in house prices, and 'a negative welfare cost of about £7.5 billion a year'. While many residents in their vicinity worry that turning green belts grey will hamper the natural environment, Smith points out that other government designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), are already in situ to protect them. Within former green-belt areas, however, the reclassification remains hard for some to swallow. 'Why do we need all these houses? Why can't they go up north, where there's more green land?... We don't want any more buildings,' Bensman rails, adding that policies have been rushed in by a Government with little understanding of the places they plan to transform radically. 'The Government can reduce their pay packet, come and live in the area and actually commute up the A30 every day, and just open their eyes.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
