Lib Dems call for 'grey belt' planning policy change
At a meeting of North Herts Council on 29th January 2026, the Liberal Democrats tabled a motion calling for the council to challenge the Labour government's proposals on 'grey belt' planning policy. The motion called for greater protection for green field sites around villages, the protection of habitat and for genuinely affordable and socially rented homes be delivered in all new developments
The motion, proposed by Cadwell Councillor Louise Peace, cited a huge rise in speculative development in her ward in Ickleford as the reason for the motion. Speculative sites are applications to build houses in addition to those in North Herts Council's Local Plan. When grey-belt was introduced, it was suggested that parts of the green belt such as 'abandoned car parks' and 'disused petrol stations' could be used for housing. The reality of the policy is that any green field site, including land in the green belt around a village can now be subject to huge speculative planning applications
Planning policy is set by the Labour government in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Revisions to the policy are the subject of a public consultation that runs until 10th March. One of the proposed changes to green belt designation makes it easier for speculative applications to be made on green belt around villages - the land could be considered as 'grey belt'.
Cllr Peace suggested that it would be better to build homes that already have planning permission or build on brownfield sites rather than allowing development on unspoilt rural landscapes.
Cllr Peace said, “I am pleased that council has supported this motion. Large developments on edge of village locations can result in communities reliant on cars, using roads that are already at a standstill in peak periods. This sends a message to the Labour government that the NPPF should allow North Herts Council to build the right homes in the right place.”
Cllr Ruth Brown added, “This policy drives a cart and horses through the original intention of the changes, which was to make it easier to build homes on previously developed land in the green belt, such as disused garages and light industrial areas. Instead, it gives developers carte blanche to concrete over green fields, especially around villages, when many allocated and brownfield sites remain undeveloped. This policy change is madness and undermines one of the main purposes of the green belt, which is to prevent urban sprawl. We do need more homes but they must be in the right places, at the right price and with the right infrastructure. I am delighted that North Herts Council has soundly rejected these proposals.”
