Greenbelt
Greenbelt: A large proportion of land near large towns and cities is classed as greenbelt in the local plans. The concept of green belt dates back to 1955 and was made policy to prevent neighbouring towns from merging together. Without the green belt the benefits of containing and protecting would have been much harder to achieve. Green belt account for around 13 percent of the country Re-classification of green belt, with pressure for more land, local authorities are having to reconsider their policies for environmental and economic reasons and adjust their boundaries sensibly in line the regions objective of sustainable development.

Recommendations have been made for the regional planning bodies and local planning authorities to review greenbelt boundaries as part of the regional spatial strategy and local Development Framework processes to ensure that they remain relevant and appropriate given the need for planned development to take place in the most suitable location.

“Between 2001 and 2004 over 37,436 acres of land in England was changed to residential use of which 31% was from Agricultural land.”

Source: www.communities.gov.uk