Redefining the Green Belt: The Rise of Grey Belt Planning

Welcomed by developers but criticised by the House of Lords Select Committee, the Labour government’s new Grey Belt policy has divided opinion. Partner at national law firm, Weightmans, John Gregory examines what the policy means in practice, and how it’s faring so far.

PLANNING

Weightmans

1 min read

What is the “Grey Belt”?

From humble beginnings as a few paragraphs of guidance developed by the Greater London Regional Planning Committee in 1935 - with the stated aim of reserving a supply of public open spaces - Green Belt planning policy has become almost sacrosanct. It has been perceived by many as the only protection preventing all of our open countryside from being turned into concrete. It’s no wonder then, that proposals to relax Green Belt protections have become increasingly politically difficult.Full article here