Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Beresford and Lucy Frazer

Monday 21st November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con)]

T9. Will my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that green-belt sites set aside for housing in local council draft plans are removed prior to plan adoption?

[Lucy Frazer]

The national planning policy framework is clear that a local authority should not propose to alter a green-belt boundary unless there are exceptional circumstances and it can show at examination of the local plan that it has explored every other reasonable option. Any proposal to release land from green belt is subject to rigorous examination by the planning inspector, who is independent and who acts on behalf of the Secretary of State.