VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Green Belt

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 4 November 2025UIN 85171

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) percentage and (b) area of (i) grey belt land within the green belt and (ii) green belt land that is grey belt.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

My Department does not hold the requested information.

It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward.

Similarly, it is for authorities to determine whether and how to evidence, justify, amend, and set out Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of statutory plans.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim