Written questions by Morton.

Communities and Local Government, what criteria local authorities are expected to apply when identifying land categorised as grey belt.

The definition of grey belt, for the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, is provided in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024.The Framework also makes clear that before concluding that exceptional circumstances exist to justify changes to Green Belt boundaries, the relevant authority should be able to demonstrate that it has examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting its identified need for development.Where it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give priority to previously developed land, then consider grey belt land that has not been previously developed, and then other Green Belt locations. Guidance to assist authorities in assessing their Green Belt and identifying grey belt will be published in the coming weeks.The amount of development that occurs in any given Green Belt will depend on local circumstances and it is for local planning authorities to assess whether Green Belt land should be released. However, the Framework makes clear that, where grey belt land is identified, it should be brought forward for development only where this is sustainable. New ‘golden rules’ will be applied to ensure that development benefits communities and nature.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of grey belt land on the Green Belt.

The definition of grey belt, for the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, is provided in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024.The Framework also makes clear that before concluding that exceptional circumstances exist to justify changes to Green Belt boundaries, the relevant authority should be able to demonstrate that it has examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting its identified need for development.Where it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give priority to previously developed land, then consider grey belt land that has not been previously developed, and then other Green Belt locations. Guidance to assist authorities in assessing their Green Belt and identifying grey belt will be published in the coming weeks.The amount of development that occurs in any given Green Belt will depend on local circumstances and it is for local planning authorities to assess whether Green Belt land should be released. However, the Framework makes clear that, where grey belt land is identified, it should be brought forward for development only where this is sustainable. New ‘golden rules’ will be applied to ensure that development benefits communities and nature.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, how grey belt is defined for the purposes of (a) plan-making and (b) decision-making.

The definition of grey belt, for the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, is provided in the glossary of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024.The Framework also makes clear that before concluding that exceptional circumstances exist to justify changes to Green Belt boundaries, the relevant authority should be able to demonstrate that it has examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting its identified need for development.Where it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give priority to previously developed land, then consider grey belt land that has not been previously developed, and then other Green Belt locations. Guidance to assist authorities in assessing their Green Belt and identifying grey belt will be published in the coming weeks.The amount of development that occurs in any given Green Belt will depend on local circumstances and it is for local planning authorities to assess whether Green Belt land should be released. However, the Framework makes clear that, where grey belt land is identified, it should be brought forward for development only where this is sustainable. New ‘golden rules’ will be applied to ensure that development benefits communities and nature.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to utilise architects to allow development of complex brownfield sites in proposed National Planning Policy Framework reforms.

National planning policy sets out the circumstances in which the development of brownfield land is considered appropriate, and the standards that are expected, including a high quality of design. It does not specify the professions which should be involved, which is a matter for the client, but is important that a range of disciplines is brought to bear as appropriate to the nature of the site, and architects will often play a key role. We have set out proposals for how brownfield development could be better supported in our consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and our discussion paper on ‘brownfield passports’.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure the provision of adequate funding to support (a) up-to-date local plans and (b) high-quality design codes.

Within weeks of taking office, the government consulted on increasing planning fees to put planning services on a firmer footing and to reflect the real costs of the services they provide.Subject to the outcome of our consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the government will provide funding to enable eligible local authorities to progress their plans to examination quickly. Further details on the funding will be provided in due course.More generally, the government is committed to supporting local planning authorities. At the Budget, the Chancellor announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities. This includes funding for the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners, along with funding to Public Practice for the recruitment of planners, architects, and urban designers. Together, this framework provides a clear basis for the delivery of more high-quality, well-designed homes.We are also developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills and capacity they need, both now and in the future to modernise local plans and speed up decision making, including through innovative use of digital planning data and software.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to implement her proposed changes to planning policy on the green belt within the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Government set out details of proposed reforms relating to brownfield, grey belt, and the Green Belt in the consultation on our approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system that began on Tuesday 30 July and closes on Tuesday 24 September.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938.

The Government set out details of proposed reforms relating to brownfield, grey belt, and the Green Belt in the consultation on our approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system that began on Tuesday 30 July and closes on Tuesday 24 September.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the infrastructure (a) requirements and (b) costs of her proposed housing reforms.

As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. This will remain the case irrespective of whether any proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework or wider national planning policy are taken forward.When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.The Government provides financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that brownfield land is prioritised for development through full financing on brownfield reclamation.

The Government invests billions of pounds to reclaim brownfield land and make it available for new housing and the creation of employment floor space. Funding is provided through a range of programmes including the £1.5 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund, the £610 million Brownfield Housing Fund and the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund. These programmes unlock sites across the country that the private sector alone will not deliver, often because they are too contaminated, too large, or need a significant amount of upfront public investment to cover the additional costs associated with the reclamation of brownfield land and bringing it back into productive use.