The threshold remains high for councils planning to sacrifice Green Belt land for development

The threshold for a council in England to propose housing development on Green Belt land is very high. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that development on Green Belt land should "be exceptional" and only occur in "very special circumstances". This means that the council must be able to demonstrate that the need for the development outweighs the harm to the Green Belt.

There are a number of factors that councils will consider when assessing whether to propose housing development on Green Belt land. These include:

• The need for housing in the area

• The availability of alternative sites for development

• The impact on the Green Belt's objectives, which are:

- To prevent urban sprawl

- To protect the countryside

- To provide recreational opportunities

- To assist in the conservation of wildlife and natural beauty

In practice, councils are very reluctant to propose housing development on Green Belt land.

In 2021-22, an estimated 4,656 houses were built on Green Belt land in England, out of a total of 232,820 new homes* (2% of the total of new houses).

The high threshold for development on Green Belt land is likely to remain in place in the future. The NPPF is being reviewed at the moment, but the government has said that it is committed to protecting the Green Belt.

Here are some of the reasons why the threshold for development on Green Belt land is so high:

• The Green Belt is a valuable asset that provides a number of benefits, including protecting the countryside, providing recreational opportunities, and assisting in the conservation of wildlife and natural beauty.

• The government is committed to protecting the Green Belt, and has said that it is a "national treasure".

• There is a strong public opposition to development on Green Belt land.

As a result of these factors, it is very difficult for councils to propose housing development on Green Belt land. However, some councils are arguing that the threshold for development on Green Belt land should be lowered in order to meet the need for housing in their areas.

* Source: www.gov.uk