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Guildford Borough Council publishes Green Belt Assessment

Guildford Borough Council publishes Green Belt Assessment

Guildford Borough Council is reassuring residents that no decisions have been made to build on Green Belt land, after publishing a new assessment in response to changes in Government planning policy.

The move follows the introduction of the “grey belt” concept in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024. This is a change that requires councils nationwide to review their Green Belt.

Guildford has now completed that review, using independent experts to ensure a robust and consistent assessment.

What the assessment shows

The assessment found that some areas of the Borough’s Green Belt meet the Government’s definition of “grey belt” or “provisionally grey belt”.

However, the Council is clear that this does not automatically mean development will happen.

“Grey belt” is a national policy term used to describe land that does not strongly contribute to certain Green Belt purposes. It is not a planning decision.

Some sites have been classed as “provisionally grey belt”, meaning they can only be fully assessed if a specific development proposal comes forward.  This is particularly relevant where additional protections apply, such as the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

No automatic development or site allocation

The Council is emphasising that:

  • Identifying land as grey belt does not grant planning permission.
  • It does not mean all sites are necessarily suitable for development.
  • It does make any decisions on what land will be allocated for development.

Any future proposals would still need to pass strict planning tests, including sustainability, infrastructure capacity, environmental protections and impact on local communities.

Why this work has been done

The Government has asked councils to carry out these assessments and provided funding to do so.

Guildford’s assessment will now form part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan and help guide future planning decisions.

It also ensures the council is applying national policy consistently and transparently.

Councillor Fiona White, Lead Councillor for Planning said:

“We know that any changes to Green Belt policy will be a concern for residents. That’s why it’s important for us to be clear.  This assessment does not mean development will automatically happen on any of these sites. This is about making sure we are working in line with national planning policy and using clear, evidence-based information to guide future decisions.

“Any proposals would still need to meet strict planning requirements, and we will continue to carefully consider what is right for Guildford and its communities.”

Looking ahead

Further changes to the national definition of “grey belt” are currently being considered by Government, which could affect how land is classified in future.

The Council will continue to keep residents informed as work on the new Local Plan progresses.

Image above of Guildford Borough landscape.

Notes to editors

  • Read our Green Belt Assessment
  • The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was updated by Government in 2024, introducing the concept of “grey belt”.
  • Councils have been supported by Government funding to carry out Green Belt assessments.
  • The assessment does not allocate land for development or grant planning permission.
  • Planning decisions will continue to consider a range of factors including sustainability, infrastructure and environmental protections.


​ Press contact: Stephanie Maynard – email Stephanie.Maynard@guildford.gov.uk