Green Belt Planning Policy Guidance

Following the introduction of the grey belt concept in the NPPF’s December 2024 update, the Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) for the Green Belt has now been updated. This important document holds the same legal status as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It provides guidance on Green Belt assessments and how to consider development on ‘grey belt’ land. Bringing in this distinction between Green Belt and grey belt has unlocked the potential for development previously considered to be inappropriate to now potentially be acceptable under this new guidance.

The definition of the grey belt, as set out in the glossary of the NPPF, is as follows:

‘For the purposes of plan-making and decision-making, ‘grey belt’ is defined as land in the Green Belt comprising previously developed land and/or any other land that, in either case, does not strongly contribute to any of purposes (a), (b, or (d) in paragraph 143. ‘Grey belt’ excludes land where the application of the policies relating to the areas or assets in footnote 7 (other than Green Belt) would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development.’

Purposes a, b, and d of the Green Belt referenced in this definition are:

a. to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up area

b. to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another

c. to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns

When a site has been judged to be grey belt, it is still required to consider if development would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt, in accordance with paragraph 155 of the NPPF.

The PPG reiterates that for development in the Green Belt to be ‘not inappropriate’ the following criteria need to be met:

• The site is grey belt
  
  
• Development of the site would not fundamentally undermine the purposes of the remaining Green Belt
  
  
• There is demonstrable unmet need for the development proposed
  
  
• The site is in a sustainable location
  
  
• The site provides Golden Rules where applicable (the definition of the Golden Rules is provided at paragraph 156 of the NPPF)

Where the Golden Rules are met, significant weight is given in favour of grant of planning permission.

As per footnote 55 of the NPPF, development considered as not inappropriate on grey belt land is not required to give substantial weight to any harm to the Green Belt, including its openness, and therefore a development proposal would not need to be justified by ‘very special circumstances.’

The PPG provides guidance for how to carry out Green Belt assessments, including detail and definitions for what constitutes a ‘strong’, ‘moderate’, or a ‘weak to none’ contribution for purposes A, B, and D of the Green Belt. A critical clarification within the PPG is provided within the definition of the Green Belt purposes: that villages should not be considered large built-up areas for Purpose A, and that Purposes B and D relate to towns, not villages.

Green Belt assessments are to be carried out by local authorities or appropriate groups of local authorities. They will also need to be conducted as part of the preparation of Spatial Development Strategies, which will need to be prepared by emerging strategic authorities as detailed in the recently issued Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

The full PPG can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/green-belt.

To discuss any of the matters discussed above or any other planning matter, please contact the team.