Proposals for new planning guidance for England issued by the Government will increase pressure for sprawl and weaken town-centre first policies, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned.
Its reaction to the Draft National Planning Policy Framework singled out the proposed destruction of brownfield-first policies.
CPRE said this will mean efficient use of land will no longer be promoted by the planning system.
"The new Framework will make the countryside and local character much less safe from damaging and unnecessary development," said chief executive Shaun Spiers.
"If it is not amended, there will be battles against development across the country that will make the public revolt against the sale of the forests look like a tea party."
CPRE also attacked plans to over-allocate land for housing as the Draft requires local authorities to allocate at least 20% extra homes over and above the existing five-year supply.
Ironically, it was the disputes caused by imposition of higher housing targets in regional strategies that were cited by communities secretary Eric Pickles for destroying regional planning.
"The Government admits that policy changes, such as removing priority for brownfield development and allowing Community Right to Build schemes could lead to greater development on greenfield land," said Mr Spiers.
"Although they say protected landscapes, like green belts and AONBs, will still be protected and that is to be welcomed, it seems it is open season for the rest of the countryside, including some of our finest agricultural land."
CPRE also cited changes to green belt policy to allow communities to support building and abolition of exceptions policy allowing small-scale affordable housing in rural settlements and which is likely to add to pressure for market housing.
"We do need more people engaging with planning, and its complexity has become a barrier," said Mr Spiers.
"But with their crude focus on economic growth and default ‘yes' to development, ministers are storing up plenty of unintended consequences for the future. Over the next few months the Government needs to listen and make further improvements or the consequences for the English countryside and the character of our towns and villages will be grave."
