The UK government has announced funding to help local authorities cover the costs of undertaking Green Belt reviews. A total of 133 local authorities have been awarded a share of £9.31 million, ensuring they are well-equipped to implement the changes outlined in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This funding aims to provide the necessary resources for evidence-based decision-making, supporting local authorities in shaping sustainable land-use policies.
What is the Green Belt?
Green Belts are designated areas of open land surrounding urban areas, protected to prevent urban sprawl, encourage the regeneration of brownfield sites, and preserve the character of the countryside. These areas are designed to maintain ecological balance and provide recreational spaces for communities. It is important to ensure that Green Belt policies remain effective and relevant as our needs and understanding of nature evolve.
Why is this Funding Important?
With the revised NPPF, local authorities are required to review Green Belt boundaries to ensure that they support sustainable development. However, conducting a Green Belt review is a complex task, requiring detailed spatial analysis, scenario testing, policy evaluation and stakeholder engagement. This funding will enable councils to carry out thorough assessments, balancing the need for development with environmental and community priorities.
How City Science Can Help
At City Science, we specialise in spatial analysis, and policy evaluation. Our platform, Cadence, provides local authorities with the tools needed to conduct data-driven Green Belt reviews efficiently.
By leveraging our expertise and technology, councils can:
- Analyse land use and development scenarios
- Integrate multiple data sources for a holistic view
- Assess environmental and economic impacts
- Ensure compliance with national policies
We have worked on projects such as the RTPI Net Zero & Nature Recovery Design Codes demonstrating our ability to provide actionable insights to support effective planning decisions.
Join Our Webinar on March 26th
To learn more about how we can support your Green Belt review, we invite you to join our webinar on March 26th. We’ll discuss how local authorities can make the most of this funding and showcase how Cadence can streamline the review process.
If you are interested in exploring how City Science can assist your authority, get in touch with us today or register for our webinar to find out more!