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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 19 December 2023, what his Department's policy is on whether local authorities who are in the process of developing a local plan (a) can and (b) should exclude some sites identified for housing development which are in the green belt.

Further to the published information set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, transitional arrangements are set out in Annex 1 to the Framework. Government will consider whether updates are needed to planning practice guidance in due course. I refer the Hon Member to the written statement of 19 December 2023 (HCWS161).