Green belts are established through development plans. Proposals for new green belts should be considered through Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), or, in London the Spatial Development Strategy, in the first instance. RSS are prepared by regional planning bodies on behalf of the Secretary of State, who formally approves and publishes the final RSS. In London, the Mayor prepares the Spatial Development Strategy and no specific consent is needed from the Secretary of State to any green belt proposals.
Local Development Documents prepared by local planning authorities set the detailed boundaries of the green belt. No specific consent is needed from the Secretary of State to these boundaries.
Government Offices make representations to regional planning bodies and local planning authorities on behalf of the Secretary of State but have no formal powers to give or withhold consent.