Statement on grey belt and the Castle Point Plan

As the plan was being prepared, the Government changed national planning policy and introduced the concept of grey belt, requiring all councils preparing plans to undertake an independent review of Green Belt and assess whether land could be classified as grey belt.

This is what the Council has done. However, the Government national guidance is clear: identifying land as potential grey belt does not mean that it should be allocated for development or granted planning permission.

The Council reviewed sites which were independently assessed as potential grey belt and concluded that, for other planning reasons, they should not be allocated. The Council has published all of the documentation as part of the evidence to the plan.

This is what the Government asked us to do and this is what we have done. 

The Council understands that housing numbers, Green Belt protection and the distribution of new homes are very important issues to residents.

We have undertaken extensive consultation on the draft Castle Point Plan and all feedback received during the consultation, including feedback from the MP, has now been submitted to the Inspectorate for independent examination. 

Now that the plan has been submitted for independent examination, all objections and representations, including those from residents and political parties, will be considered in full by Government appointed planning inspectors. The examination is the stage where decisions will be taken, and anyone who has made a representation has the opportunity to present their case directly to the inspectors if invited to participate in the hearings.
 

FAQs

What is grey belt?

The term grey belt was introduced by the Government in the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024.

It refers to Green Belt land that:
•    has previously been developed, or
•    does not strongly meet two specific Green Belt purposes: 
o    preventing urban sprawl, and
o    stopping towns from merging.

Even if land meets this definition, it remains Green Belt. Its planning status and protections do not change.

Why has some Green Belt land been reviewed?

New Government planning rules require councils to review Green Belt sites that landowners or developers have put forward for consideration.

To meet this requirement, the Council assessed 33 sites that had been promoted.

Using the Government’s own criteria, 12 sites and 5 parts of sites could be classed as grey belt.

This is simply a technical classification, required by national guidance. It is not a policy decision.

Does being identified as grey belt mean a site will be built on?

No. Government guidance is clear that identifying land as grey belt does not automatically mean it is suitable or appropriate for development.

Many other planning factors still apply and these can rule a site out completely.

Why has the Council ruled out development on these sites?

The Council has looked at all the evidence in detail and found several strong reasons why development should not take place on either Green Belt or potential grey belt land.

These include:

•    high environmental value and important wildlife habitats
•    heritage assets that could be harmed
•    flood risk and the role greenfield areas play in helping manage water
•    highway capacity, with local roads being unable to take additional traffic
•    landscape impacts that would significantly change local character
•    strong Green Belt purposes still being met on many sites

Taken together, this evidence shows that development on these sites would be inappropriate and inconsistent with national planning policy.

Are Green Belt protections still in place?

Yes.

•    no Green Belt boundaries have been changed.
•    no Green Belt or grey belt land has been allocated for development.
•    all existing Green Belt protections continue to apply.

Protection of our Green Belt remains one of our top priorities and we are doing everything in our power to protect it. This includes following national guidance properly and ensuring that any decisions fully reflect the importance of the Green Belt to nature, landscape, heritage and the residents of Castle Point.