§ 1. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the creation of neat boundaries is a consideration of prime importance in fixing the limits of green belts.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Richard Crossman)Not at all. What is important is that green belt boundaries should be sensible both as to the land they enclose and the route they take. Wherever possible they should follow easily recognisable natural features.
§ Mr. CookeWhile I am most grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the words contained in the Question were actually used by a planning officer 280 in the West Country as an excuse to include a magnificent piece of open country and a historic house and to take them out of the green belt and put them in the white area? Will the right hon. Gentleman resist that sort of thing?
§ Mr. CrossmanIf the hon. Gentleman is referring to the proposal about the Yate-Sodbury area, I cannot anticipate my decision.
§ Mr. CorfieldOn that latter matter, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind the importance of hurrying up the town map of the area on which this really depends?
§ Mr. CrossmanYes, Sir. I entirely agree with that.