Green Belt reform: The future of the Green Belt

Five 'golden rules' for Green Belt reform

In October 2023 Starmer stressed that his Green Belt reform plans wouldn’t mean tearing up the Green Belt, but that “where there are clearly ridiculous uses of it; disused car parks, dreary wasteland - not a Green Belt, a grey belt - sometimes within a city’s boundary, then this cannot be justified as a reason to hold our future back.”

in April 25 Labour announced their ‘five golden rules’ for the ‘grey belt’ as follows:

1. Brownfield first: Within the Green Belt, any brownfield land must be prioritised for development.

2. Grey belt second: Poor-quality and ‘ugly’ areas of the Green Belt should be clearly prioritised over nature-rich, environmentally valuable land in the Green Belt. At present, beyond the existing brownfield category the system doesn’t differentiate between them. This category will be distinct from brownfield with a wider definition.

3. Affordable homes: Plans must target at least 50% affordable housing delivery when land is released.

4. Boost public services and infrastructure: Plans must boost public services and local infrastructure, like more schools and nurseries, new health centres, and GP appointments.

5. Improve genuine green spaces: Labour rules out building on genuine nature spots and requires plans to include improvements to existing green spaces, making them accessible to the public, with new woodland, parks, and playing fields. Plans should meet high environmental standards.

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