New rules further strengthen green belt protections

Latest News Tue, Mar 22, 2016 5:39 PM

New rules further strengthen green belt protections

The Communities Secretary has strengthened the policy on planning for waste facilities such as recycling plants making clear that companies and councils looking to build these should first look for suitable sites and areas on brownfield land.

The new rules also changes the previous policy, and means councils can no longer give special consideration to locational needs, or wider economic benefits the site could bring, over other considerations, as justification for building waste facilities on green belt land.

Mr Pickles said these measures would ensure the green belt could continue to offer a “strong defence” against urban sprawl in our towns and cities, and brings waste into line with the policies on other development, where approval should only be given in very special circumstances, and brownfield sites should be sought in the first instance.
Protecting the green belt

The new policy follows new guidance published earlier this month, which reaffirms how councils should use their local plan, drawing on protections in the National Planning Policy Framework, to protect the green lungs around towns and cities.

Green belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional cases, through the preparation or review of the Local Plan.

This is on top of a range of measures the government has already taken to protect the green belt. These include:

  • abolishing the previous administration’s top-down regional strategies
  • selling surplus brownfield land for redevelopment
  • introducing more flexible planning rights so empty and underused buildings can be brought back into productive use.

Local Plans are now at the heart of the reformed, democratic planning system, so councils can decide where development should and shouldn’t go in consultation with local people.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "I am crystal clear that the green belt must be protected from development, so it can continue to offer a strong defence against urban sprawl.

"(These) new rules strengthen these protections further, and ensure that whether it’s new homes, business premises or anything else, developers first look for suitable sites on brownfield land."

Featured News

Specification news
Second RIBA AI Report shows surge in usage among UK...

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the results of the...

Read More >>

Specification news
Former Scottish steelworks to become major green data...

In a proposal put forward for UK AI Growth Zone status, plans have been unveiled to...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

Amtico Bio Support Document  Brochure

Amtico Bio Support D...
By Amtico

Download Now >>

Amtico Access Brochure

Amtico Access
By Amtico

Download Now >>

Amtico Acoustic Brochure

Amtico Acoustic
By Amtico

Download Now >>

Amtico Click Smart Brochure

Amtico Click Smart
By Amtico

Download Now >>

Amtico Decor Brochure

Amtico Decor
By Amtico

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

Hardie® Plank
Hardie® Plank

James Hardie fibre cement products are built to last. It's the go to façade for builders,...

Read More >>

Hardie® Panel

With James Hardie, It’s Possible™If you're looking for a high performance, A2 fire-rated façade...

Read More >>

Hardie® Backer
Hardie® Backer

With James Hardie, It’s Possible™Moisture sensitive areas like kitchens and bathrooms are...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Mira Vista Heatloop
Mira Vista Heatloop

Mira Showers is delighted to introduce the new Mira Vista HeatloopTM – an innovative and stylish...

Watch Now >>

Why our Canopies Last Longer
Why our Canopies Last Longer

https://www.aandslandscape.co.uk/ Find out why A&S Landscape Canopies last longer than alternatives....

Watch Now >>

Enclosed Dining Canopy - Hampton Gardens School
Enclosed Dining Canopy - Hampton Gardens School

A&S Landscape designed and installed a large enclosed, curved roof canopy for Hampton Gardens School...

Watch Now >>