Green belts

Green belts

Green belts are swathes of land protected from development through policy. The fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. The essential characteristics of green belts are their openness and permanence.

See Practice Note: Green belts.

Policy

National policies relating to green belts in England are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF states that the government attaches great importance to green belts. There is a general presumption against inappropriate development unless very special circumstances can be demonstrated to show that the benefits of the development will outweigh the harm caused to the green belt. The NPPF sets out what would constitute appropriate development in the green belt. For more information see Practice Note:

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Latest Planning News

Planning weekly highlights—12 December 2024

This week's edition of Planning weekly highlights includes: a working paper on planning committee reforms; a ‘Plan for Change’ including commitments to fast-track planning decisions to deliver national missions; and a consultation on methodologies for three key network plans.

NESO publishes letter on proposed reforms to grid connections process

The National Electricity System Operator (NESO) has published a letter, outlining proposed reforms to its grid connections process, following stakeholder feedback from its November 2024 consultation. These reforms aim to ensure timely connections for strategically aligned projects to achieve the government’s Clean Power 2030 objectives. NESO proposes that certain categories of projects that meet specific requirements, such as submitting planning consent applications before NESO's final proposal submission to Ofgem (expected on 20 December 2024) and securing planning consent by the end of the Gate 2 evidence submission window (expected by the end May 2025), or being awarded a government Contract for Difference or a Capacity Market contract by NESO, or obtaining Ofgem cap and floor or merchant route regulatory approvals for interconnector or offshore hybrid asset projects, will be deemed as meeting the strategic alignment element of the Gate 2 criteria. These projects must still satisfy the 'readiness' element of the Gate 2 criteria and will remain eligible for advancement requests and be subject to reassessments. NESO intends to submit its final connections methodologies proposals to Ofgem by the end of 2024, with Ofgem’s decision expected in Q1 2025.

MHCLG publishes working paper on planning committee reforms

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a working paper, outlining proposed reforms to planning committees in England. The paper proposes three main reforms: introducing a national scheme of delegation, establishing a new system of targeted committees for strategic development, and implementing mandatory training for committee members. These proposals aim to streamline the planning process and ensure appropriate democratic oversight. If these proposed reforms are taken forward, they would necessitate changes to primary legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, with any implemented changes subject to further detailed consultation. There is no set deadline, and the MHCLG will announce the next steps for these proposals in due course.

NESO launches consultation on methodologies for three key network plans

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on the methodologies for three key strategic network plans, aimed at supporting clean power delivery by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. The consultation covers the draft methodology for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), the Refresh methodology for the transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan (tCSNP2), and the high level principles for the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP). The consultation closes on 20 January 2025. Following the consultation, NESO will refine its publications based on stakeholder feedback, with the final SSEP methodology expected to be published in Spring 2025, following approval from the UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, as well as Ofgem. Additionally, NESO will launch a consultation on the draft CSNP methodology in Q2 2025 and submit the tCSNP2 methodology to Ofgem by 31 March 2025 for publication.