Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

15. What assessment he has made of the legal opinion obtained by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England in relation to the green belt and the national planning policy framework.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill)]

The Government have clearly stated their determination to maintain strong protections for the green belt. Of course, by abolishing regional strategies we are removing the threat to the green belt in more than 30 separate locations across the country. We have received a large number of representations in relation to the NPPF and we will give all of them, from all sources, appropriate and careful consideration.

[Bill Esterson]

I note that the Minister is ignoring the legal opinion. Let me read to him what CPRE has to say. It is concerned that

“Green Belt policy would be undermined by the sustainable development presumption together with the expectation that applications should be approved unless there are adverse impacts to policies in the NPPF as a whole.”

What is he doing to address those concerns, which result from a legal opinion? Does he agree with that advice?

[Robert Neill]

I have to say that one comes across a lot of legal opinions—I have done so myself in a previous life—and I have every respect for the author of that opinion, but we will consider it along with all the other submissions we consider in relation to the NPPF.