DOI: 10.69554/ytys5779 ISSN: 1752-9646

Green Belts: A critical environmental policy

Paul Miner
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This paper evaluates the evolving role and growing importance of Green Belt policy in England, arguing that both the designation and the land it protects are now critical to addressing environmental, climate, and public health challenges. It defines the extent and characteristics of Green Belt and other ‘countryside around towns’ land, showing how these areas provide essential functions: preventing urban sprawl, supporting nature recovery, offering public access to green space, and sustaining cultural landscapes. The paper highlights mounting pressures on Green Belt land, including housing demand, weakened planning controls, losses in farming capacity, and recently introduced ‘grey belt’ policy reforms. Drawing on recent evidence about development trends, public opinion, climate adaptation, and land management, the paper contends that Green Belt policy should be strengthened, not diluted. It sets out a series of recommendations, including reinstating strategic planning through Spatial Development Strategies, adopting a robust brownfield-first approach, prioritising environmental land management, and exploring opportunities to designate new Green Belts or expand National Landscape protections. It concludes that well-managed Green Belt and urban fringe land can play a pivotal role in sustainable regeneration, climate resilience, local food production, and equitable access to nature, provided policy is reoriented towards long-term environmental and social outcomes. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.

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