The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched an inquiry into the government’s “grey belt” plans.
The short inquiry, with a call for evidence running until October 14, will aim “to gain a better understanding” of the government’s new concept of grey belt, how it can contribute to the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes and what sustainable grey belt development looks like.
In its consultation on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Labour has defined grey belt as green belt land “which makes a limited contribution to the green belt’s purposes”.
These purposes, according to paragraph 143 of the current NPPF, include checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns from merging into each other and preserving the setting and special character of historic towns. The new government has previously pointed to old petrol stations and car parks within the green belt as grey belt.
The committee’s inquiry will also look at the proposed “golden rules” determining land releases within the green belt. These include the requirements for the delivery of affordable housing provision, infrastructure and enhanced green spaces. The inquiry will consider how these may affect the success of schemes in the grey belt.
As part of the proposals for the new NPPF, councils will need to review their green belt land “if needed to meet their own target” and identify “grey belt” land.
Lord Moylan, chair of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, said: “Finding enough land for new housing will be key to whether the government can achieve its housing targets. Designating some green belt land as grey belt may help it to do that.
“Our inquiry will look at how the government and local authorities might identify grey belt areas thought suitable for development and how to ensure new homes are supported by the necessary infrastructure and local amenities.
“To inform our work we want to hear from as broad a range of people as possible. If you have a view on any aspect of our inquiry, look at our call for evidence and let us know what you think.”
Among other questions, inquiry participants are asked for their assessment of the government’s grey belt definition, whether they think the grey belt proposals will contribute to delivering new homes across the country and their views on the infrastructure and local amenities needed “to ensure that a grey belt housing development is a good place to live”.
