Green belts

Green belts

STOP PRESS: An updated version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 12 December 2024. This content is being reviewed in accordance with the latest version.

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

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