Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 111727, for what reason his Department has not introduced a definition of large built-up area, town, historic town or village.

The government’s Green Belt policies as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) make reference to large built-up areas, as well as towns and historic towns. These are established terms with the Framework.

We have not introduced prescriptive definitions of these terms, and their interpretation remains a matter for planning judgement informed by national policy and associated guidance.

Our updated Green Belt guidance, published on 27 February 2025, sets out detailed considerations to ensure a consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included questions on Green Belt policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.