Call me a cynic but this sounds like old wine in new bottles - growth areas (greenfield sites identified for development); renewal areas (brownfield sites and enterprise zones) and protection areas (green belts (really?), conservation areas and AONBs).  The difficulty isn't necessarily (but certainly can be) in identifying these areas, it's about deciding whether development is acceptable in them  - is a building too high; is there enough affordable housing; does the design adversely impact on nearby protected areas or buildings?  Just a few of the many detailed considerations that are and will still need to be taken into account in determining planning applications, even with the radical new zones.   I await tomorrow's announcements with interest and look forward to being proved wrong.