Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his policy is on the principles that local authorities should use to balance housing targets set by central Government with protecting greenbelt land.

The Government does not set local housing targets. The standard method for calculating local housing need is the starting point in the process of planning for the right number of homes, but it is not the housing requirement. Housing requirements are decided by local authorities when they write their local plan, taking account of constraints they face locally such as the Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our policy on Green Belt land remains clear we will continue to protect and enhance the Green Belt. Only in exceptional circumstances can a local authority alter a Green Belt boundary through the plan-making process and authorities are expected to demonstrate they have examined every other option to meet their need. Each plan is subject to a public examination in front of an independent Inspector, who plays an important role in examining plans impartially to ensure that they are legally compliant and sound.