Jeremy Hunt MP is continuing to fight against ‘garden grabbing’ in South West Surrey by backing Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman’s call for changes in planning regulations to prevent the over-development of local communities.Jeremy is supporting the Land Use (Gardens Protection) Bill, which was introduced last Friday in the House of Commons, because he believes allowing blocks of flats to be built on the sites of existing homes and gardens is spoiling the character of local towns.Jeremy said: “Uncontrolled construction on garden sites puts enormous pressure on an area’s infrastructure and towns like Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere just aren’t able to cope with the increased numbers that ‘garden grabbing’ leads to.”“Although I welcomed the updated national planning regulations raising the threshold at which developers must provide affordable housing, there is still no sign that Waverley Borough Council has made use of them. When added to the lack of legislation to stop ‘garden grabbing’ - as gardens are classed as ‘brownfield’ land - blocks of flats can still be dumped on gardens yet young professionals still cannot afford to buy in the area – everyone loses out.“I am backing this Bill because I want the crucial role of gardens and urban green spaces to be acknowledged and protected and will continue the campaign to provide affordable homes whilst protecting our communities from overdevelopment.”