Green Belt - Commons Library Standard Note

Published 20 April 2012 | Standard notes SN00934

Authors: Christopher Barclay

Topic: Environmental protection, Planning

• This note describes the Green Belt policy, which forms an important part of British planning policy. The issue of selling Green Belt land in the countryside in very small plots is covered in Green belt - sales of small plots (SN/SC/717).

• The area of the Green Belt has not been reduced in recent years. Reductions in some areas have been offset by increases elsewhere.

• In 2011 the Institute of Directors called for land to be released from the Green Belt to stimulate house building.

• In 2011 the OECD criticised the Green Belt system for being an obstacle to house building.

• On 27 March 2012, DCLG published the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework. It came into effect immediately, superseding the 2011 draft and all other planning guidance (except on waste). It maintains protection for the Green Belt.

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