Saqib Bhatti MBE MP, Member of Parliament for Meriden and Solihull East, has responded to the Government’s statement on a growing public petition calling on the Government to amend the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to include a clearer definition of the ‘grey belt’. A term used to describe some land currently designated as Green Belt.
The petition, which has gained traction from residents across the Meriden and Solihull East constituency, seeks to strengthen the protections given to land that should be designated as ‘green belt’ planning decisions that distinguish between genuinely protected green spaces and areas that may be better suited for sustainable development, such as ‘brownfield’ sites.
The petition proposes a change to the definition of ‘grey belt’ in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to prevent the land that should be classified as ‘green belt’ being targeted for substantial development. The campaign seeks to defend and protect the countryside from overdevelopment.
Recent planning data reveals that while Birmingham struggles to meet its housing delivery goals, Solihull is being pressured to take on thousands of additional homes to compensate. This has sparked outrage among residents, councillors, and community leaders who fear that the borough’s character, infrastructure, and services are being stretched to breaking point. 26th August 2025 Under the proposed calculation method, Birmingham’s housing target drops from 7,174 homes per year to 4,974, a reduction of 31%1. While Solihull Borough is expected to dramatically increase housing capacity.
On the 1st September the Government responded to the petition stating: “The Government has no plans to change the definition of grey belt in the National Planning Policy Framework, the targeted release of which is essential to deliver the development our country needs.”
Commenting, Saqib Bhatti MP said: “As an MP deeply committed to safeguarding our environment, I firmly believe that protecting the green belt is essential to preserving our communities, wildlife, and natural heritage for future generations.
The Government’s recent statement on the grey belt definition falls short of the robust protections we urgently need. This petition represents the voices of over 17,000 people who share our concerns, and it’s crucial we continue to build momentum by gathering more signatures.
Together, we can hold the government accountable and ensure that development does not come at the expense of our precious green belt.”
- 1Local Government chronical, July 2024, https://www.lgcplus.com/services/regeneration-andplanning/mapped-housing-targets-for-each-council-under-proposed-method-31-07- 2024
