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<p>In our National Planning Policy Framework, reissued in February 2019, we ask local
authorities to protect their Green Belts, making clear that most types of new buildings
are inappropriate there, and should be refused planning permission. The revised Framework
now also states that a local authority can propose to alter a Green Belt boundary
only in exceptional circumstances and only if it can show that it has examined all
other reasonable options for meeting its identified development needs. A local authority
should therefore make as much use as possible of suitable brownfield and under-used
land; optimise density of development; and discuss with neighbouring authorities whether
they could take some of the necessary development, as agreed in a Statement of Common
Ground. As part of the rigorous examination of a draft Plan, the planning inspector
will look for evidenced justification of any proposed change to a Green Belt, to check
that reasonable alternatives have been explored.</p>
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