§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will define the statutory responsibility of metropolitan county councils and district councils for the designation of the green belt.
§ Mr. FreesonGreen belts are designated in the development plan for the area. Existing development plans prepared under the Town and Country Planning Act 1962 are the responsibility of the county planning authority. Under the new system provided by the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972 and the Local Government Act 1972, the county council is responsible for the preparation of a structure plan which indicates the general location of any green belt areas. The local plan will define the precise boundaries of the green belt area and will normally be prepared by the district council. The development plan scheme prepared by the county planning authority designates the planning authority by which each local plan is to be prepared.