Crossword Genius

Proficient fighter for restricted building area (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

green belt

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'proficient fighter' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'restricted building area' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'area' could be 'green' (green is a kind of area) and 'green' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'belt' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for green belt that I've seen before include "Protected land around city" , "of restricted development?" , "status of karate?" , "Supposedly a no-go area for new building" , "land outside city" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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