What February’s PPG update means for the Green Belt - and your sites
February’s Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) update brought some subtle but significant shifts to how Green Belt land should be assessed - and it prompted us to rethink how we approach our own Grey Belt layer.
Here’s what’s changed:
- It’s your site that matters, not the whole parcel. Assessments should focus on the characteristics of the site itself, not just the wider Green Belt area it sits within.
- Not all development is sprawl. The update makes clear that development in the Green Belt doesn’t automatically equal sprawl - context is everything.
- Size matters. The Green Belt exists to protect large built-up areas. If you’re a village, hamlet or small town, those protections may no longer apply in quite the same way.
So what have we done about it?
We’ve rebuilt our Grey Belt layer with this updated guidance in mind. It doesn’t claim to tell you where to develop, but it does help you make a more informed call.
Our data now supports early-stage assessments for three of the five Green Belt tests set out in the NPPF and PPG, specifically purposes a, b and d:
- a) Checking unrestricted sprawl
- b) Preventing neighbouring towns from merging
- d) Preserving the setting and character of historic towns
It's not a shortcut, but it is a smarter starting point, and a big step forward in understanding what's not inappropriate when it comes to Green Belt development.
Quickly identify Grey Belt sites
Find Grey Belt land using our unique data
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Become a Grey Belt expert
Check out more resources below to help you further understand the Grey Belt, what opportunity it presents, and more.
A Data-Led Approach to Delivering 1.5 Million Homes
- Explore how a data-led approach can accelerate housing delivery, unlock land, and support planning decisions to meet the UK’s 1.5 million homes target.
Development Strategies: Grey Belt Sites
- Download this free one-pager to discover how to use LandInsight to locate potential Grey Belt sites before the competition.
Unlocking Opportunities with the Grey Belt
- Don’t miss out on this chance to gain a competitive edge by understanding the untapped potential of the Grey Belt.
Grey Belt Opportunities by Local Authority
- See the top 50 local authorities with Grey Belt opportunities, broken down by area and the number of potential sites for development.
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Why community engagement matters for Grey Belt developments
Developing Grey Belt land can be controversial, especially in communities that may be concerned about changes to their local environment.
Engaging the community early and transparently can make the difference between a project that’s welcomed and one that’s resisted.
Give My View helps you gather feedback, address concerns, and demonstrate your commitment to responsible development, ensuring smoother project approvals and stronger community relations.
Find out more