Fran Belbin, the Labour leader of Sheffield City Council, has said she will answer questions from green belt campaigners who accuse the authority of staying silent on their concerns for around 15 months. The row centres on Sheffield's draft local plan, which proposes building thousands of new homes on green belt and farmland sites around the city, including around 900 homes at Orgreave Park, as the council tries to meet housing targets.

Campaigners, along with Green Party figures and some Sheffield MPs, have criticised the proposals as unfair and warned of the loss of countryside, reduced food-growing land and pressure on burial space, among other concerns. Belbin has said she is "hugely sympathetic" to objectors but maintains the council "will have to look at some green belt development" to meet housing need, while noting that planning inspectors are still reviewing the plan and continuing to engage with public feedback. She urged campaigners to keep submitting their views as the formal examination process continues.