Member

157: After Clause 52, insert the following new Clause— “Identification and protection of green belt(1) Within two years of the passing of this Act, a local planning authority must identify land within its area which it is necessary to protect from development.(2) It is necessary to protect land from development under subsection (1) if such protection would—(a) limit the expansion of large built-up areas;(b) prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;(c) preserve the setting and special character of historic towns;(d) encourage the development of previously-developed land in urban areas. (3) A local planning authority may designate as green belt any land identified under subsection (1) as necessary to protect, including undeveloped land within, and green wedges of land that extend into, built up areas.(4) A local planning authority must prevent any development of land designated as green belt under this section for a minimum period of 20 years starting on the day on which it is so designated.”Member’s explanatory statement This new clause would ensure that a local planning authority can identify land which it deems necessary to protect from development.