§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to protect greenfield sites from development.
§ Mr. YeoThe Government's policy is to encourage the effective use of unused and underused land in urban areas and thus reduce the need for development of greenfield sites. Proposals to develop such sites are determined through the planning system. Our current guidance emphasises the importance of protecting the countryside while diversifying the rural economy, and particularly stringent controls exist in especially designated areas such as green belts.