Robert Walter (North Dorset, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to protect (a) the green belt and (b) open green spaces in Dorset.

Ian Austin (Minister of State (the West Midlands), Regional Affairs; Dudley North, Labour)

The information is as follows.

Green belt

We have made it clear that Government remain committed to the key principles of the green belt and is not changing green belt policy as set out in PPG2. However, this does not mean that green belt boundaries should be set in stone. Nationally, the green belt continues to grow.

Open green spaces

The Government's planning policies on open space are set out in planning policy guidance note 17 (PPG 17) "Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (2002)". It recognises that well designed and implemented planning policies for open space, sport and recreation are fundamental to delivering broader Government objectives.

Local planning authorities in Dorset, like in the rest of the UK, need to take these policies into account in the preparation of their development plans. PPG2 and PPG 17 may also be material considerations in deciding individual planning applications.