Sutton Coldfield’s MP, Andrew Mitchell, has received positive responses from the Planning Minister, Nick Boles, to the Written Parliamentary Questions he tabled to the Government in an effort to begin to explore alternative options to building on Sutton’s Green Belt.
Mr Mitchell asked the Department for Communities & Local Government four questions about their position on Green Belt land and for clarification on the finer details where a local authority puts forwards a plan to build on the Green Belt.
Andrew Mitchell MP, said “My main aim in asking these questions was to alert the Coalition Government to the great concern that there is in Sutton about the threat to our Green Belt.
“The Planning Minister makes it clear that the Government attaches great importance to Green Belt protection and the Coalition Agreement pledges to maintain its safeguards. He also confirms that a local authority must take into account the views of the local community before presenting the final version of their Development Plan.”
Birmingham City Council is expected to consult on the final version of the Birmingham Development Plan, prior to its submission to the Planning Inspectorate for examination later in 2013.
To view Andrew Mitchell’s questions & the Government’s responses go to www.parliament.uk/business/publications
Select ‘Commons Debates – By MP’, ‘Commons debates by MP - session 2012-13’, ‘Mitchell, Mr Andrew’, ‘Written by Date’ & then 21 January - ‘Property Development: Birmingham’, 16 January - ‘Derelict Land’ & ‘Property Development: Birmingham’ & 15 January - ‘Green Belt.’