Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the revised National Planning Policy Framework's grey belt policy on progress towards the Government's commitment to protect 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The National Planning Policy Framework describes how it will influence the design and location of new development to help drive nature’s recovery and contribute to wider environmental outcomes. The changes to the new National Planning Policy Framework do not reduce the level of protection given to protected areas, such as National Landscapes and National Parks, which continue to be protected through wider policies in the National Planning Policy Framework.

In July 2026, we published the 30by30 delivery plan and assessment guidance, which provides a clear framework for accelerating progress towards 30by30. To count towards 30by30 land must have biodiversity as a core purpose, be protected for the long term and be effectively managed to deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity. The delivery plan recognises the need to work across Government to help deliver 30by30, and the new National Planning Policy Framework does not impact on the ability of landowners, including local authorities, to submit suitable land for assessment that may contribute towards 30by30.