Green belt, in the United Kingdom, is an area of land near a town or city on which buildings may not be constructed, except in special circumstances. The government maintains certain areas around London and other cities and towns as green belts. Green belts are established to prevent towns and cities from becoming too large or from merging into each other. Green belts also guarantee that town and city dwellers will be able to enjoy countryside recreation and scenery near their homes.
Parliament passed the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act in 1938 to set up a green belt around London. The 1947 Town and Country Planning Act enabled local authorities to establish green belts around cities.
