Development in the green belt

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Stephen Morgan of Landmark Chambers
Practice notes

Development in the green belt

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Stephen Morgan of Landmark Chambers

Practice notes
imgtext

The National Planning Policy Framework (nppf) sets out strong protections of the green belt. It notes that the government attaches great importance to green belts and clarifies that the fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land designated as green belt permanently open. There is therefore a strong presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt, with substantial weight to be given to any harm to the green belt in determining planning applications.

The original version of the NPPF was adopted in 2012 (the 2012 NPPF). This was revised in 2018, 2019, 2021, September 2023, December 2023 and December 2024. The current version of the NPPF, published in December 2024, does not alter the fundamental aim of green belt policy or its five specified purposes. However, it has introduced significant changes to enable more development to take place in the green belt in specified circumstances, particularly on those parts of the green belt that are considered to be under-performing and such parts are now to be known as ‘grey belt’.

Stephen Morgan
Stephen Morgan chambers

Landmark Chambers

Stephen has always specialised in planning and related fields of law, having graduated in both law and planning. One of his main areas of practice is village greens and commons and he regularly sits as a village green Inspector as well as advising and appearing in relation to these matters. His experience, both as adviser and advocate, also covers the range of planning and related topics, including major infrastructure projects and in particular waste and energy facilities; his work covers the regulatory aspects (under the various regimes and Directives) as well as the planning issues. His practice covers the whole range of developments including large new settlements, along with other residential, commercial and mixed use developments of all scales.

Stephen has regularly given presentations as part of the Landmark Chambers seminar series but also at other major events. These have covered planning policy, highways, village greens and commons and localism and neighbourhood planning.

In Legal 500 for 2023 it is stated that 'Stephen is a pleasure to work with, highly accessible, very thorough and provides clear and concise advice. Stephen's advocacy skills are excellent and, in particular, he strikes up a great rapport with planning inspectors.'

Read moreRead more
Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
NPPF definition
What does NPPF mean?

National Planning policy Framework.

Read more readmore

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?

What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of case

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of caseA strike out order can be made either following an application by the parties or on the court's own initiative. This Practice Note deals with the scenario of the order being made following a party's application.Making an application

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin