You can now access a dataset that will help you locate the grey belt, understand it's favourability through a bespoke score, and view a breakdown explaining how we came to this conclusion.
Our in-house analysts have been collaborating across the industry to produce a one of a kind dataset. You won't find this data anywhere else right now!
What is the grey belt?
The grey belt aims to release low-quality green belt land for development. In the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), grey belt is defined as follows:
"Land in the Green Belt comprising previously developed land and/or any other land that, in either case, does not strongly contribute to any of purposes (a), (b), or (d) in paragraph 143. ‘Grey belt’ excludes land where the application of the policies relating to the areas or assets in footnote 7 (other than Green Belt) would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development"
How did you create this dataset?
LandTech have been able to apply data to the policy to work out where the grey belt land are likely to be located. We’ve not been able to answer every grey belt test, but where there is data available, we’ve been able to address these tests with a high degree of certainty.
How do LandTech calculate the scores?
Favourability score
We review the lands contribution to the green belt purposes of A), B) and D). We then review whether the area of the developable land is less than 0.1ha.
For reference, the Green Belt purposes that are relevant to grey belt are:
Purpose (a): To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas
Purpose (b): To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another
Purpose (d): To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns
Based upon this, it is then possible for a Most favourable, Average favourability or Least favourable score to be indicated.
You can tap the info icon within LandInsight to find out more about these calculations.
Sustainability score
Land that are well located to public transport, and that avoid an Agricultural Land Classification of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, will score well against the ‘sustainable location’ test.
Connectivity to public transport (eg. train, underground, tram, bus) and amenities. We used Department for Transport ‘journey times’ data here, among other sources
If the land is 95% or more Agricultural Land Classification of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, this will negatively impact the sustainability score
Demonstrable unmet need
To understand if there is a demonstrable unmet need for development we have used the ‘presumption in favour’ data that we carry in LandInsight. We derive the likelihood that any LPA is under the Presumption in Favour by looking at their Housing Land Supply, and their Housing Delivery Test Score, alongside the date of adoption for their most recent local plan.
Source sites
You can source opportunities based upon their grey belt favourability by using the site sourcing tool.
Use the favourability score to refine down the returned results
Use the most appropriate score for your needs
Explore a local area
You can access the new grey belt layer through the 'all layers' and 'opportunities' collections within the explorer, on the left hand side.
Toggle on the new 'Grey belt favourability' layer
Use the favourability scoring to refine down what you see on the map
Selections & Saved sites
Check out the selections insights to find out whether there is a piece of grey belt land at the location.
Or, you can see whether your already saved sites fall within a specific favourability too.
Select your saved site
Click the policies tab
If you site is impacted, you'll see 'grey belt' within the list of policies
Tap the grey belt to read about the area
How can I find out more?
NPPF National Planning Policy Framework - December 2024