Mayor of London Announces Green Belt Review

The Mayor of London has announced plans to review the capital’s Green Belt, focusing on the government’s new mandate to identify "grey belt" land in areas where local housing targets cannot otherwise be met.

Speaking during Mayor’s Question Time at City Hall, the Mayor reaffirmed his commitment to a ‘brownfield first’ approach, emphasising the importance of prioritising undeveloped brownfield sites before considering Green Belt development. He criticised the notion of building on protected land while significant brownfield areas remain unused, stating that developers should “use it or lose it.”

Currently, 22% of Greater London is designated as Green Belt, with more than half of this land concentrated in just three boroughs. The Mayor’s review, he assured London Assembly Members, would not undermine his commitment to protecting these spaces but would instead focus on meeting local housing needs responsibly.

This review marks a critical moment in London’s planning policy, balancing the demand for housing with the preservation of vital green spaces.

Two Notable Decisions Signal Grey Belt Policy’s Impact

In our recent litepaper, Plotting the Future, we explored how recent government initiatives stand to impact the availability of land for development. Arguably the most pivotal among these initiatives is the introduction of the ‘Grey Belt’ land designation.

We can now report that since its introduction in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) last December, Grey Belt has already influenced the outcome of notable planning appeal decisions.

Labour’s ‘Grey Belt’ refers to areas within the Green Belt that are previously developed or do not significantly contribute to the purposes of Green Belt designation. Labour has maintained that any development on such land must adhere to strict "golden rules."

In recent coverage, Planning reported two significant cases where appeals were granted under the new Grey Belt designation, reversing prior refusals based on harm to Green Belt.

The first involved Tandridge Council’s rejection of plans to demolish existing buildings and construct two dwellings and a garage on a Green Belt site. Inspector E. Dade overturned the decision, citing “exceptional circumstances” outlined in paragraph 155 of the revised NPPF. This paragraph permits development that utilises ‘Grey Belt’ land, provided it does not undermine the overall purposes of the remaining Green Belt. These purposes include checking urban sprawl, preventing towns from merging, and preserving historic settings.

The second case, approved on January 13, allowed a temporary megawatt battery storage facility in Walsall. Inspector Baird determined that the project, although not on previously developed land, met the criteria for Grey Belt designation. The facility’s contribution to mitigating climate change and achieving net-zero goals, combined with its sustainable location and minimal traffic impact, justified the decision.

These rulings highlight Grey Belt’s potential to reshape land availability for housing and infrastructure projects. Read Plotting the Future¹ for further analysis of Grey Belt’s impact on the land-finding landscape.

For a deeper dive into the above appeals, see Planning Resource’s coverage².

Government to consult on planning reforms for farm diversification

The government plans to consult on new planning reforms this spring to make it easier for farmers to convert larger barns into farm shops, holiday lets, and sports facilities. The changes aim to streamline the process for building new barns and other infrastructure, helping farmers increase food production and diversify their businesses.

These reforms would build on last year’s updates to permitted development rights, which facilitated farm diversification projects, which was dubbed the “Clarkson Clause.” 

The government aims to simplify the planning system, reducing the time and complexity involved in obtaining approvals. However, farming leaders have expressed concerns about the financial pressures currently facing the sector, urging for immediate support alongside long-term reforms.

1. https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/plotting-for-the-future
2. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1902752/two-grey-belt-schemes-backed-inspectors