Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Protecting the Green Belt

Monday 13 April 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Wendy Morton questioned the Government's approach to the green belt, citing inconsistency and concern over development in her area.
  • The Minister responded that local planning authorities determine green-belt land release based on exceptional circumstances, not the Government's policy.
  • Gareth Bacon inquired about the term "grey belt," suggesting it leads to the development of undeveloped countryside, undermining green-belt protection.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Housing Environment
Context

The MP questions the consistency of Labour's approach to green belt protection and criticizes the release of green spaces in her constituency.

Question

What steps he is taking to protect the green belt. The approach to the green belt taken by Labour Members is inconsistent with their rhetoric. Why is the Government more willing to see green spaces concreted over in my area than in the Secretary of State's area?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

It is for individual local planning authorities to determine whether green-belt land should be released based on the exceptional circumstances test. The Opposition's policy would prevent any housing need from being met even if it means preventing families from buying homes or causing longer waiting times.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discrepancy between areas was not directly addressed, focusing instead on overall policy principles.

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Q2 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Housing Environment
Context

The MP questions the government's use of the term 'grey belt' for green spaces that should be protected.

Question

Is the Minister confident that the Government's invention of the term “grey belt” is providing protection to the green belt? The Government have previously claimed that so-called grey-belt land is comprised of old petrol stations and disused car parks, but evidence shows 88% of approved developments on this land were built on undeveloped countryside.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The term 'grey belt' refers to land determined by local planning authorities not meeting green-belt purposes. It does not mean misleading; it ensures low-quality land is released where housing needs are unmet through other means.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Avoided admitting the misleading nature of the term 'grey belt'.

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Q3 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Housing Environment
Context

The MP questions the effectiveness of the term 'grey belt' in protecting green spaces.

Question

Is the Minister confident that the Government's invention of the term “grey belt” is providing protection to the green belt? The evidence shows that 88% of approved developments on grey-belt land were built on undeveloped countryside, suggesting the green belt is under attack.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The term 'grey belt' ensures that low-quality green-belt land is released where other options are exhausted and housing needs must be met. It contrasts with previous approaches that led to widespread release of green spaces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not admit the misleading nature of the term ' 'grey belt'.

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Q4 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Housing Environment
Context

The MP questions the term 'grey belt' as a mislabeling of undeveloped countryside.

Question

Why will the Minister not just admit that the term “grey belt” is in fact a dishonest concoction designed to mislead the general public? The evidence shows 88% of approved developments on grey-belt land were built on previously undeveloped countryside, suggesting misuse of green spaces.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The term 'grey belt' ensures targeted release of low-quality green-belt land when all other options have been exhausted, addressing housing needs. It contrasts with previous chaotic approaches that released large swathes of green spaces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Avoided admitting the misleading nature of the term 'grey belt'.

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