Green Belt

Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what powers the regional spatial strategy process has to change the status of green belt land; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper
[holding answer 11 June 2007]: The regional spatial strategy (RSS) is the statutory strategic development plan. Any proposed changes to the general extent of green belt will therefore need to be set out and taken forward through that process.

Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what powers local authorities have to re-designate green belt land; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper
[holding answer 11 June 2007]: Current policy, set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2): Green Belts, makes it clear that is the responsibility of regional planning bodies and local planning authorities to designate land as Green Belt through the development plan process. Any proposed changes to Green Belt boundaries should also be made through the development plan process as set out in PPG2.