DEVELOPMENT across Dorset is set for a major overhaul after a change in the planning process.

So-called ‘garden grabbing’ is set to stop following new legislation changing garden planning classification from brown to greenfield sites.

Garden space used to be classified by planners as brownfield along with previously industrial areas.

This meant that planners could get planning permission on the sites more easily – known as garden-grabbing.

Local authorities will now be given greater powers to say what type of houses they want to see in their area.

Conservative South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “We are changing the classification of garden land so councils and communities no longer have their decisions constantly overruled, but have the power to work with industry to shape future development that is appropriate for their area.”

He added: “There are many examples of garden grab in South Dorset, which have caused some concern and even distress to neighbours who suddenly find an adjacent parcel of green land turned into concrete and stone.”

Weymouth and Portland has seen a sharp rise in the number of houses built on previously residential land since 1997.

The proportion of new homes built on previously residential land rose from 15 per cent in the period 1997-2000 to 54 per cent between 2005-2008.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said it was unable to comment on the changes in planning as its new strategy document was in the draft stages.

Local builders say that new homes will still need to be built to meet the growing demands of the population.

Rob Acheson, a director of Dorchester-based Acheson Construction Ltd, said: “In principal we are in agreement to not develop gardens, but only if the planning authorities designate outside the development area to develop, as otherwise it will push up prices and have a knock-on effect for first-time buyers.

“It could affect the construction industry.”

John Loosemore of Betterment Properties said: “There has been a lot of development on brownfield sites in the last 10 years. Planners will need to look to find new areas of land to compensate.”

Melcombe Regis Cons-truction director Mark Stratton said that he didn’t think the new laws would affect small businesses as most builders mainly did renovation and extension work.

He said: “The Government expect houses to be built. They will just have to build upward.”