§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has studied the publication "This Pleasant Land" which has been sent to him; and what are his policies on (a) establishing protected green belt areas, (b) designating housing restraint areas and (c) creating strategic development boundaries, in the light of the publication;
(2) if he will introduce regulations to establish (a) protected green belt areas, (b) housing restraint areas and (c) strategic development boundaries to be protected from development; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Waldegrave"This Pleasant Land" is an interesting discussion of current planning issues. However, it understates the strength and success of existing conservation policies. The Government have vigorously maintained the protection afforded to the green belts and other sensitive areas, and will continue to do so. I see no need for new designations of the kind proposed. The success of policies for housing development in existing urban areas is evidenced by the extent to which land for housebuilding is coming from previously developed sites and vacant land within urban areas—in the last two years about 46 per cent. of land developed for housing came from these sources.
Land use surveys can provide valuable information, but assessments of housing land supply must also take account of such factors as ownership, market demand and the availability of services, which can only be assessed at the local level. That is why, within the context of structure and local plan allocations, we have urged local authorities and housebuilders to undertake joint studies of housing land availability in each area.