Under the proposed National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the definition of the Grey Belt would be:
"...land in the Green Belt comprising Previously Developed Land and any other parcels and/or areas of Green Belt land that make a limited contribution to the five Green Belt purposes"
Whilst the Government is keen to improve house building numbers, it has not given carte blanche to developers who wish to build in the newly defined Grey Belt.
Any development will not be permitted to fundamentally undermine the function of the Green Belt across the area of the development plan as a whole, with the Government committed to ensuring the overarching integrity of the Green Belt.
To that end, any land released in the Green Belt will have at least one of the following features:
The prospective development will also be subject to 'golden rules' to ensure it delivers in the public interest which include:
The definition of the Grey Belt and when this land may be suitable for development is currently still subject to change, with the Government consultation on the provisions of the NPPF closing at the end of September 2024.
Following the consultation, the final version of the NPPF is expected to be adopted before the end of year.