High Court to Consider Grey Belt Policy
The High Court will consider the definition of Grey Belt at a substantive hearing in December 2025.
In Wrotham Parish Council v SSHCLG and Others (AC-2025-LON-000898), the claimant has received permission to bring its s.288 claim in respect of the decision of Inspector Holden to grant outline planning permission for a new 24-hour truckstop facility. The site lies in the Green Belt and in the setting of the Kent Downs National Landscape.
Among other things the claim raises questions as to the glossary definition of Grey Belt, which excludes land “where the application of the policies relating to the areas or assets in footnote 7… would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development” (emphasis added). One question is whether the fn 7 policies fall to be applied to the site generally, or to the particular development proposed on site.
The remaining grounds of review relate to the Inspector’s treatment of the proposal’s impacts on the character and appearance of the area and to her application of Government Circular 01/2022, which concerns the delivery of sustainable development on the strategic road network.
Dr Alex Williams acts for Wrotham Parish Council, instructed by Brendon Lee of HCR Hewitsons.
