Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell, said that "the Coalition Agreement commits the Government to safeguarding green belt and other environmental designations, which they have been in the new National Planning Policy Framework". Stunell emphasised the importance of the green belt, describing it as a "'green lung' around towns and cities".
Stunell was responding to reports in the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph newspapers that suggested that the NPPF would be changed and that the green belt was under increased threat.
The Telegraph reported that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor wanted to examine ways in which the building of new homes, retail developments and airport expansion projects could be made more straightforward.
The paper reported that "this could include building on green belt land in future years – something which was specifically ruled out in the Conservatives’ 2010 general election manifesto and which would spark major protests by environmental groups".
