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<p>Under the National Planning Policy Framework, local authorities can alter the shape
of their Green Belt only in exceptional circumstances. They do this through their
Local Plan. This involves rigorous consultation in public and consideration by a planning
inspector at examination, who then makes a formal determination on whether the submitted
Plan is sound. It is for each Plan to be found sound if it is properly prepared, justified,
effective and consistent with national policy in the Framework.</p><p>In the Housing
White Paper, <em>Fixing our broken housing market</em>, we recognised the need for
more clarity on the exceptional circumstances in which a Green Belt boundary change
can be proposed and consulted on a criteria. We are currently considering the responses
and will implement any policy changes in a revision of the National Planning Policy
Framework as soon as practicable in 2018.</p>
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