Green belts need modernising - a more ‘multifunctional’ approach can benefit people and planet

The intersection of the Calderdale and Rochdale green belts Matthew Kirby, CC BY

Green belts are more than just spaces; for many people, they’re places providing a brief escape from the city. Land designated as green belt – and protected from building – can also store carbon and hold water at times of flooding and drought.

Rolled out across England in 1955, green belt policy has remained largely unchanged for almost 70 years. Today, green belts covering 12.6% of England’s land aims to “prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open”.