Issue

Green Belt

16 stories · discussed at 8 council meetings · 10 councils

Councils are deciding on Green Belt development and considering reclassification for housing, while some reaffirm protection.

Enfield Council's new administration, led by Councillor Alessandro Georgiou, announced in May 2026 that Tottenham Hotspur FC is no longer welcome to develop on Whitewebs Park, promising to protect the Green Belt. Also in May 2026, Bromley Council's Plans Sub-Committee No. 2 refused a traveller site in Biggin Hill, citing harm to the Green Belt. These decisions follow Barnet Council's rejection of a new stadium plan in July 2025 due to Green Belt harm.

Havering Council's Strategic Planning Committee debated in March 2026 proposals for residential development on Green Belt land in Hornchurch, discussing its potential classification as 'Grey Belt'. This follows Ealing Council's consideration in November 2025 of developing 'grey belt' to meet housing targets, as the Greater London Authority reviews the Green Belt. Haringey Council is also set to receive government funding to support a Green Belt review, aligning with the new London Plan.

The Green Belt is undeveloped land around urban areas, protected from development to prevent urban sprawl. Councils continue to debate its future, with Enfield Council having debated a motion to protect its Green Belt in November 2025. The Harrow Planning Policy Advisory Panel met in September 2026 to discuss the Harrow Town Centre Masterplan and the implications of the draft London Plan, which often influences Green Belt policy.

Key facts

  1. Enfield Council's new leader, Councillor Alessandro Georgiou, announced in May 2026 that Tottenham Hotspur FC is no longer welcome to develop on Whitewebs Park. Source 1 Source 2
  2. Bromley Council's Plans Sub-Committee No. 2 refused a traveller site in Biggin Hill in May 2026, citing harm to the Green Belt. Source
  3. Havering Council's Strategic Planning Committee debated in March 2026 proposals for residential development on Green Belt land in Hornchurch. Source
  4. Ealing Council considered in November 2025 developing 'grey belt' to meet housing targets, following a Greater London Authority review. Source
  5. Croydon Council rejected Mayor Sadiq Khan's Green Belt review plans in July 2025, stating the Green Belt is precious. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Hillingdon Council Approves Revised Local Development Scheme Timetable Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has endorsed a revised timetable for its Local Development Scheme (LDS), which will guide the borough's development over the next 15 years. The... Hillingdon 19 January 2026
  2. Harrow Council to Oppose Mayor's Planning Power Grab Harrow Council has formally declared its opposition to what it describes as a planning power grab by the Mayor of London, raising concerns about potential impacts on local... Harrow 1 December 2025
  3. Ealing Council Considers Developing 'Grey Belt' to Meet Housing Targets Ealing Council is considering developing areas currently designated as 'grey belt' to meet increasing housing targets driven by the new London Plan. Ealing 30 November 2025
  4. Enfield Council Debates Green Belt Protection Amid New Town Plans Enfield Council has debated a motion to protect the borough's Green Belt amid concerns about government plans to build a new town. The motion, proposed by Councillor Alessandro... Enfield 16 November 2025
  5. Croydon Council Rejects Mayor Khan's Green Belt Review Plans Croydon Council convened on 16 July 2025, to address a range of local issues, including concerns about the Green Belt and Mayor Sadiq Khan's plans to review it, potentially... Croydon 20 July 2025
  6. Barnet FC Stadium Plan Rejected Over Green Belt Concerns Plans for a new Barnet FC stadium at Barnet Playing Fields have been rejected by Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee, citing concerns over harm to the green belt and... Barnet 20 July 2025
  7. Landfill Extension Approved Despite Environmental Concerns Havering Council's Strategic Planning Committee has approved an extension to landfill operations at the Veolia ES site on Coldharbour Lane, Rainham, despite concerns raised... Havering 16 July 2025
  8. Haringey Green Belt Review to be Supported by Gov Funding Haringey Council is set to receive government funding to support a review of its Green Belt[^1], as announced at a recent Strategic Planning Committee meeting. The review is... Haringey 11 July 2025