Moved by
Baroness Young of Old Scone
295: After Clause 123, insert the following new Clause—
“Purposes of green belt land
An area may be identified as green belt land in a development plan for one or more of the following purposes—
(a) to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas;
(b) to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;
(c) to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
(d) to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns;
(e) to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land;
(f) to support climate mitigation and adaptation;
(g) to combat the decline of biodiversity and enhance its conservation;
(h) to promote natural capital and ecosystem services;
(i) to enable the public to access and benefit from green open spaces close to where they live.”
Member's explanatory statement
This clause transposes the existing purposes of green belt land from guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework into statute and adds new purposes in regard to climate change, biodiversity, natural capital and public access.