A 21st Century Metropolitan Green Belt
Events held
26 May 2016
Final event: Executive summary report launch
The executive summary and the final report will be published on 25 July 2016.
5 May 2016
Workshop 6: Recommendations
14 April 2016
Workshop 5: Landscape planning
Our fifth workshop was on the inevitable question of landscape enhancement. We identified three broad areas to consider if we want to make the most of the landscapes in the Metropolitan Green Belt.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
7 April 2016
Meeting 3: Steering group
10 March 2016
Workshop 4: Infrastructure and land value
Our fourth workshop was particularly timely given various announcements on infrastructure, most recently the Budget announcement on Crossrail 2. We discussed several ways in which transportation can be improved.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
11 February 2016
Workshop 3: Garden cities & urban extensions
In our third workshop we explored the role of green belts in garden cities. We took inspiration from Ebenezer Howard's Garden Cities of To-morrow. We also discussed urban extensions, as recommended by Town & Country Planning Association.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
2 February 2016
Meeting 2: Steering group
28 January 2016
Workshop 2: Methods of review and their outcomes
For our second workshop, we wanted to look at more practical ways of understanding planning in the green belt. The objective of this workshop was to look at how green belt reviews are created and how they can influence change in the Metropolitan Green Belt.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
21 January 2016
Workshop 1: Purpose and means
What's in a name? Our first workshop exploring purposes of the Metropolitican Green Belt was held on 21 January. The goals of this workshop were to question the purposes of the Green Belt and to look at other ways we might achieve these purposes.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
3 December 2015
Official launch event
On 3 December we hosted the official launch of the 21st Century Metropolitan Green Belt project. A number of opinion formers were present - some in favour of the conservation of the Belt, others questioning its utility. There was general agreement that now is an important time to debate the Metropolitan Green Belt.
Click here to read our blog summarising the discussion.
9 November 2015
Meeting 1: Steering group
London
10 June 2016: Is it really time to start building on the green belt?
Tony Mulhall, Associate Director Land Professional Group of theRoyal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), asks this provocative question citing our project and drawing implications about densification and development in relation to housing demands in London.
Click here to access the article.
25 April 2016: New homes eroding green belt 'at fastest rate for 20 years'
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) on the The Guardian speaking of the 55,000 new builds that have come up on the green belt in the past year. They claim 'London and the West Midlands under particular threat'.
Click here to access the article.
March 2016: Outer London Commission Seventh Report: accommodating london’s growth
The Outer London Commission puts forth recommendations on the role the Green Belt may play in accomodating London's growth. They suggest that selective release and review of Green Belt land alongside broader strategies for changes in Green Belt policy.
Click here to access the report.
February 2016: When Brownfield isn’t Enough; Strategic Options for London’s Growth
This report addresses the popular theory that developing brownfield land is the solution for London's housing woes. It documents London's shortage of vast swathes of vacant brownfield since 'almost all of London’s brownfield is already in use, or is already part of plans for new housing'.
Click here to access the report.
January 2016: A garden of one’s own: Suggestions for development in the metropolitan Green Belt
Tom Papworth looks at six scenarios to identify where developments could take place. The paper also identifies specific areas where tens of thousands of dwellings can be built.
Click here to access the report.
October 2015: Mega Planning: Beyond 2050 – MegaPlan for a MegaCity
GL Hearn’s plan for the future of London and the rise of its population to 10 million inhabitants. This plan was selected by New London Architecture as one of the top 10 ideas to help solve the London housing shortage.
Click here to access the document.
August 2015: Green Belt myths: CPRE's guide to what you need to know
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) puts forth their views on the green belt. They point out what they perceive to be myths based on 'selective reading of the relevant evidence'.
Click here to access the document.
7 July 2016: Big Bold Global Connected London 2065
This is a manifesto outlining AECOM’s vision of the future of London. They argue that the Metropolitan Green Belt needs to modernise in order for London to remain competitive on a global scale.
Click here to access the report.
February 2015: The Green Belt: A place for Londoners?
A report on London First, Quod and SERC to encourage Green Belt review by Local Authorities and to give a better understanding specific definitions of the London's Green Belt.
Click here to access the report.
January 2015: Population Growth in London, 1939-2015
This document provides a summary of the population trends in London from 1939 to 2015. They detail a trajectory of population size and shifts over time. This is relevant to our Green Belt project seeing as population changes impact housing needs.
Click here to access the document.
November 2014: Planning Advisory Service/ No5 Chambers. Plan-Making Case Law Update, Main Issue 4: Green Belt.
“This document forms part of a series of 4 documents providing updates on case law in the plan-making sphere, accompanied by the relevant Official Transcripts.” These documents are only meant to serve as general guides.
Click here to access the report.
9 July 2014: Building on Greenbelt land: so where?
Prof Paul Cheschire follows up on Barney Stringer's (see below) comment on the urgent need to start building on the green belt. The question is where? He takes up this question in this blog entry for Spatial Economics Research Centre.
Click here to access the blog.
20 August 2014: London’s refusal to build on green belt land causes concern among neighbours
Matthew Spry and Bethan Haynes write about the leapfrog implications of maintaining the Green Belt around London. The article discusses how extra homes may be needed to keep up with population growth.
Click here to access the article.
June 2014: Is the Green Belt sustainable?
Barney Stringer examines the Green Belt within 10 minutes walk of a station. 'Is it time the debate about the Green Belt got specific? It may have a part to play in solving the housing crisis, but only if we can make the really hard site-by-site decisions about where. This post aims to help start that debate on specifics, with a map you can explore'.
Click here to access the blog.
20 May 2014: Housing's undersupply is set to continue
Susan Emmett writes for Savills about the expanding population with the boundaries of London's 32 boroughs and its implictions for Green Belt land considering the development restrictions. A careful balance between housing needs and an sensible Green Belt policy is advocated for in this piece.
Click here to access the article.
September 2013: New estimates of housing demand and need in England, 2011 to 2031
“This paper provides estimates of the number of households, housing requirements, and the split between market and social/affordable housing at national and regional levels.”
Click here to access the article.
June 2009: Brownfield market signals: Greenfield housing land supply and the viability of brownfield housing developments
This study seeks to understand the interactions between local land markets and how development sites compete for investment as a way to explore the potential of brownfield sites.
Click here to access the article.
UK
December 2015: Consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy
This consultation from the Department for Communities and Local Government addresses the case for starter homes and brownfield in the Green Belt.
Click here to access the document.
November 2014: From wasted space to living spaces: The availability of brownfield land for housing development in England
This article makes the argument regarding the availability of brownfield in England for housing development. This comes from data that councils have gathered on the capacity for at least 1 million homes in brownfield sites.
Click here to access the article.
October 2014: Delivering change: Building homes where we need them
Centre for Cities addresses the question of green belts and their role in urban life. 'Many of Britain’s least affordable cities do not have enough brownfield land, that is suitable for housing, to meet their needs. Cities need to be bold in using their powers to identify green belt land that is well connected but of poor quality – not all green belt is green – or has little value to the local community and re-designate it for housing'.
Click here to access the report.
August 2014: Uxcester: Garden city
In this essay, URBED describes a plan to create a fictional garden city with a population of almost 400,000 people which would double its current population size. This fictional city is based on a real city, or perhaps more accurate an amalgam of cities with 'long histories, established institutions and settled communities'.
Click here to access the document.
April 2014:The TCPA Garden City Principles
The Town and Country Planning Association outlines holistic principles on the purposes of a garden city. They argue it should enhance 'the natural environment and provides high-quality social housing and local jobs in a beautiful, healthy place with diverse communities.
Click here to access the report.
March 2014: Better places to live by design: companion guide to planning policy guidance 3
“Better places to live challenges local authorities and developers to think more imaginatively about design and layout. It is not a manual to be applied by rote or a substitute for using skilled designers. It is about promoting greater flair in creating better places in which to live.”
Click here to access the document.
27 March 2012: National Planning Policy Framework
The framework acts as guidance for local planning authorities and decision-takers, both in drawing up plans and making decisions about planning applications. This also sets the policies and purposes for the Green Belts in England.
Click here to access the document.
February 2010: A Natural England survey into public attitudes towards the Green Belt
This Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) conducted 1754 interviews that covered Green Belt land aspects in England such as: awareness and attitutes; perceived importance; usage and future use. This report is a product of that research project.
Click here to access the document.
November 2005: Towards a Strong Urban Renaissance, Urban Task Force
Professor Sir Peter Hall writes a footnote in this report objecting to the need to protect greenfield land, noting that current policy hinders the development of needed housing in South East England.
Click here to access the report and read the footnote.
International
China
17 June 2016: Invisible green belts in Beijing: From romantic landscape to businesses opportunity
The green belt may be a British idea imported to China but the concept has worked out to be very different in practice. In the context of Beijing’s urbanisation, it turns out that the local state uses the ecological discourse of the green belt to legitimate its land businesses. Despite the differences, Yimin Zhao writes about the lessons from China for Britain.
Click here to read the blog.
Samuel Stafford: The fifty shades planning blog
Samuel Stafford discusses the various and perhaps ambiguous meanings that the Green Belt connotes, and how these meanings come to be constructed.
Click here to access the article.
The Star: Despite the Greenbelt, suburban sprawl presses on
An example from abroad: In Toronto, “Despite much-touted provincial regulations, dumb growth continues unabated on the ragged frontier of the megacity.”
Click here to read the article.
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment
The European Commission acknowledges urban sprawl as a problem for our cities but does not make the state green belts as a solution to counter urban sprawl.
Click here to read the document.
Campaign to Protect Rural England: Green Belts: a Greener Future
CPRE and Natural England highlight the role of the Metropolitan Green Belt in dealing with urban sprawl. They also identify Green Belt benefits: allowing ecological networks, creating green recreations areas, and farming spaces.
Click here to read the report.
BBC: 'Ebbsfleet: Model garden city?'
8 years after the project started, only 350 housing units have been built in Ebbsfleet. Moreover, “there is a key difference between this new corporation and the traditional models […]: the land is in private hands […] rather than owned by the corporation itself.”
Click here to read the article.
The Guardian: 'The Planning Chief who says garden cities can solve the housing crisis'
Kate Henderson (TCPA) discusses the danger of the expression “garden city” being used as a political buzzword. She says: "When you come to many of these debates around the future of our communities, what you see is a very polarised debate where the economy is played off against the environment, when in fact they are two sides of the same coin. Actually the thing that's so often missed out from these debates is social justice. Who are these communities for?”
Click here to read the article.
The Guardian: 'Britain’s housing crisis: are garden cities the answer?'
The Ebbsfleet garden city project has many advantages on paper: good transportation infrastructure, availability of brownfield sites, the proximity to Bluewater shopping centre, and a Paramount project for the provision of many more jobs. However, the project has some limitations: the identity of the already implemented community – Swanscombe- are not taken into account and there is a risk for Ebbsfleet to become a dormitory suburb.
Click here to read the article.
Planning Resource: NPPF consultation: 10 things you need to know
The recent NPPF consultation shows a will to increase the supply of housing. The neighbourhood plans could be expected to target small-scale sites within the Metropolitan Green Belt for Starter Homes. This would result in developing brownfield land in the MGB, thus changing the paragraph 89 of the NPPF.
Click here to read the article (behind a pay wall). Click here for more information from the full report: Consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy (2015)
The Independent: Government plans to relax laws against building on green belt land
Even though the NPPF consultation favours the implementation of Starter Homes (20% cheaper than normal homes) on the fringe of London, these homes would still not be affordable for families living on the National Living Wage. “The Starter Home scheme also only produces homes to buy, while increasing numbers of people are forced to rent in the private sector.”
Click here to read the article.
This is MONEY: 'Thousands of new family homes could be built on green belt land in the biggest shake up of planning rules for three decades'
As the NPPF consultation seems to align with James Cameron’s goal to build more affordable housing, Clive Betts express his concern: “I have no problem with a proper review of the green belt to see whether it is all appropriate or whether more should be added in. But that is how it should be done, not as a bit of an opportunity to cherry pick the best sites by developers, which this sounds like it could develop into.”
Click here to read the article.
The Guardian: Building on the green belt sounds great – just not in my back yard
A typical conversation on the Green Belt that highlights the power of NIMBYism.
Click here to read the article.
Solar Farm on Colnbrook Green Belt Refused
In Colnbrook, the Planning Committee has decided to protect the Green Belt, thus giving up a 360,000 community benefit fund proposed by the development of a solar farm. This application was however considered as interesting by several Parish Councillors, even though some of them stated they wanted to protect the Green Belt on their election.
Click here to access the article.
Infographic: Is our brownfield Green Belt up for grabs following the Spending Review?
In Colnbrook, the spending review highlights the possibility to release brownfield Green Belt for development, which brings discussion on what exactly brownfield is, especially when located in the Green Belt.
Click here to access the article.
Cash for Green Belt: minutes show how councillors wrestled with their conscience over Solar Farm
"Minutes published from the Services Commitee on November 17, the last before Slough’s Planning Committee rejected the scheme on November 26, detail the discussions and deliberations that saw councillors soul searching over whether or not to support it."
Click here to access the article.