Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect green belt and green open spaces in the Telford and Wrekin local authority area.

This Government has a clear manifesto commitment to maintain strong protections for Green Belt. This will be carried forward in the revision of the National Planning Policy Framework that we are publishing for consultation. We will review the draft Framework in the light of the consultation responses we receive, before issuing the new Framework later in the year.

At the same time we are considering what supporting guidance will be necessary. We are not proposing any alteration to national policy on Local Green Spaces. These are green areas demonstrably special to a nearby community and significant locally for their beauty, historic significance, recreational value, tranquillity or wildlife. Local communities will continue to be able to designate these spaces in Local Plans to rule out inappropriate development there other than in very special circumstances.