The local authority green belt statistics for 2018-19, published today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), reveal that 13 councils reported changes to their designated green belt areas over the year (see table below).
Just two - Barnsley and East Hertfordshire - contributed over 50 per cent of this change between them, according to the figures, with a reduction in green belt land of three per cent and six per cent respectively.
East Hertfordshire recorded the largest change during the year, with a loss of 1,090 hectares, following the adoption of its local plan, which equates to six per cent of its total green belt.
Meanwhile, Barnsley lost 650 hectares of land from the green belt and Kirkless lost 500 hectares, following the adoption of their local plans in January and February this year, respectively. This equates to decreases of three and two per cent in their total green belts.
The number of local authorities making changes to the land that is designated as green belt has increased in recent years, the MHCLG figures show.
This year’s total of 13 is the highest number since 2010/11, when records began, and compares to 10 in 2017/18 and just three in 2013/14.
