"With the new Labour government’s commitment to update the NPPF within its first 100 days, there is a crucial opportunity to reintroduce policy guidance akin to the previous MDS framework"
- Ian York - Lichfields
A national planning and development consultancy has called for the Labour government’s review of national planning policy guidance to provide clarity to local planning authorities (LPAs) on how they can develop tailored local policies to support investment and growth at developed sites within the Green Belt.
Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent announcement regarding Green Belt development, Lichfields highlights the potential economic and social benefits of planning reform.
In new research, it refers to the inherent challenges posed by current national Green Belt policy guidance that could stifle, or at least delay, investment and undermine the ability for existing businesses to improve their facilities, remain competitive and continue delivering a range of important services.
The ‘Major Developed Sites in the Green Belt – The Land That Policy Forgot?’ report reveals that a portion of the Green Belt, which includes approximately 12.6% of England’s land area, is developed for a range of uses including leisure and tourism with theme parks and other major attractions, education, medical institutions, business parks, transport infrastructure etc.
Lichfields explains that pre-2012 national policy used to recognise many of these locations as Major Developed Sites (MDS) and provided clearer guidance on how LPAs should assess development proposals, but this was removed by the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This established more subjective, generalised guidance, stripping out the detail around how an LPA could approach the identification, definition and guidance of development at such sites in local plans, potentially limiting the ability of these sites to evolve and contribute to local economies and services.
Ian York, a Planning Director at Lichfields and co-author of the report, said: “Our research shows that the majority of LPAs are adopting generalised policies that repeat national guidance. We must move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and adopt local, bespoke policies that recognise the unique characteristics of these sites.
"The report urges LPAs to engage with landowners and operators to create detailed policies that clearly define development parameters, ensuring these sites can thrive without compromising Green Belt integrity.”
The research shows that of the 180 LPAs with Green Belt land, only a third have adopted criteria-based, bespoke policies, while two-thirds default to generic NPPF guidelines. This local policy context means less certainty for owners and operators to plan for the future of their sites where there is a continuous need, in the case of theme parks and leisure attractions, for example, to renew and refresh attractions and overnight accommodation to ensure they remain attractive to visitors and competitive.
Furthermore, there’s a regional disparity in the policy approach, with the North West of England having the highest reliance on generic NPPF-based Green Belt policies and the South East of England leading in bespoke policies.
York added: “National Government has a very important part to play. With the new Labour government’s commitment to update the NPPF within its first 100 days, there is a crucial opportunity to reintroduce policy guidance akin to the previous MDS framework. This will provide much-needed clarity and support for LPAs and developers alike.”
Lichfields urges policymakers to consider these recommendations seriously. Tailored local policies are essential to unlocking the full potential of developed Green Belt sites, enabling them to significantly contribute to local economies, enhance community services, and support sustainable growth across the UK.
