Hannah David (Chair) – Planning Futures; Constance Bell (Barrister, Kings Chambers); Adam Gostling (Director, hgh Consulting); Sara Whelan (Decorum Borough Council)

Development on the Green Belt is a topic of perennial controversy, and is often strongly opposed by local residents and campaign groups.

The Government makes clear in policy that Green Belt land should be protected in order “to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open”.

However, development on the Green Belt is not always prohibited and there are a number of exceptions, set out in the NPPF, in which development on the Green Belt may be deemed appropriate.

One such exception is the “partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land” (PDL). If an application for Green Belt development does not meet any of the exceptions set out in the NPPF, an application may still be allowed if the applicant can demonstrate very special circumstances.

This event will explore the various grounds for Green Belt planning applications – with a strong emphasis on applications citing PDL and very special circumstance.

It brings together three leading experts and will consider:

• How to develop a robust, policy compliant PDL application;
• Some common, and some not-so-common, examples of “very special circumstances”;
• How to make a robust application on the basis of “very special circumstances.”
• This event is suitable for planning professionals who wish to improve their knowledge of Green Belt planning issues, and all built environment stakeholders with an interest in development on the Green Belt.

Please e mail  for details.