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Green Belt Assessment
NPPF Section 13 — Openness, Harm & Very Special Circumstances Analysis
NPPF Para 152-155
5 Purposes Test
VSC Framework
Development Details
Five Purposes of Green Belt
Rate the impact of the development on each purpose. Impact rating: No Impact (0) to Significant (3).
Purpose 1: Unrestricted Sprawl
Purpose 2: Merging of Towns
Purpose 3: Safeguarding Countryside
Purpose 4: Setting of Historic Towns
Purpose 5: Urban Regeneration
Openness Assessment
Select factors that affect Green Belt openness. Each factor contributes 2 points.
Very Special Circumstances (VSC)
If development is inappropriate, identify potential VSC. Each factor contributes 3 points. Minimum 15 points recommended to outweigh harm.
Development Classification
Harm to Green Belt Purposes
Total Harm Score
0/15
Openness Impact Assessment
Openness Score
0/16
Impact Level
Very Special Circumstances Analysis
VSC Score
0/30
VSC vs Harm
Overall Assessment
NPPF Policy References
NPPF Paragraph 152: Openness is essential to the Green Belt role and purpose. The matter is judged on a case-by-case basis.
NPPF Paragraph 153: Except where the policies indicate otherwise, permission should not normally be granted for the construction of new buildings in Green Belts.
NPPF Paragraph 154: A number of forms of development are not considered inappropriate in the Green Belt provided they preserve openness and do not conflict with the purposes of including land in Green Belts.
NPPF Paragraph 155: When considering any planning application, local planning authorities should ensure that substantial weight is given to any harm to the Green Belt.