Green Belt

Mr. Boris Johnson
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her policy is on building on the green belt in (a) England and (b) Oxfordshire.

Yvette Cooper
National planning policies on green belts are set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2. Strict planning controls on green belt land are in place and there is a general presumption against inappropriate development within green belts. Decisions on individual planning applications for development in the green belt are a matter for the local planning authority.

The designation and review of green belt boundaries in Oxfordshire, within the national policy framework set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2, is the responsibility of planning authorities, through the development plan process.

Lembit Öpik
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of “significant” her Department uses in the context of proposals for significant development in the green belt where the Secretary of State will consider recovery of planning appeals.

Yvette Cooper
Each case is considered on its merits.