§ 27. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what proposals he has made to the authorities concerned with reference to utilising 750 parts of the green belt around Bristol for other purposes; what acreage it is suggested should be used, and for what purpose; if the authorities concerned have been consulted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere is as yet no approved green belt around Bristol. Gloucestershire County Council has submitted proposals for green belt in the county and my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the county council and the district councils on modifications he has suggested. The modifications cover an area of approximately 27,200 acres out of a total of 65,700 acres, and for the most part leave these areas unallocated as white land. The purpose of the proposals is to make reserve provision for an increased population in the Greater Bristol area, if that should come about, while preserving the essential features of the proposed green belt.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the green belt plan when brought into operation was intended to be of a permanent character and now it appears that the green belt is to be taken away? Is it the policy of the Conservative Party to do away inch by inch with the green belt system?
§ Mr. CorfieldI can assure the hon. Member and the House that the whole purpose of these modifications is to preserve a green belt which will have a permanent character. These are only green belt proposals. They have not been approved. Our anxiety is to ensure that we select an area which will withstand the pressures which are likely to develop as a result of a growing population which is greater than that envisaged at present.