§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on green belt expansion, with special reference to Sheffield. [24361]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNational planning policy for green belts is set out in "Planning Policy Guidance Note 2". This states that existing green belt boundaries should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. The Sheffield unitary development fund, which is currently being considered at a local public inquiry, proposes a net addition to the green belt of 53 hectares—0.6 per cent. of the total area. It is for the inspector conducting the UDP inquiry to consider the appropriateness of the proposed changes to the green belt and make his recommendations to the city council, who will then be responsible for deciding whether to accept them and reflect them in the final version of the UDP.