Stafford Borough, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Tamworth and South Staffordshire Councils have undertaken a Green Belt Assessment (pdf 28.7mb) with its joining Appendices and Figures to support Local Plan preparation.

The study assesses how land within the West Midlands Green Belt performs against the purposes set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2024, including consideration of grey belt land.

This work responds to increased housing needs following recent national policy changes, alongside significant constraints such as Green Belt designation, the Cannock Chase National Landscape and limited urban capacity.

The Green Belt Assessment evaluates how different areas of the Green Belt contribute to its purposes and helps inform decisions on Local Plan strategy, site allocations and potential boundary changes.

It forms part of the wider evidence base and does not itself allocate land or propose development.

Typically undertaken in two stages, it first reviews broad areas of Green Belt and then considers more detailed site-level assessments.

The findings help authorities understand the potential impacts of development, including the extent of harm to the Green Belt, and identify areas within the grey belt.

Although Green Belt is an important consideration, it is balanced alongside other factors such as housing need, sustainability and infrastructure provision.

Appendices:

Appendix G Stafford Borough Green Belt Assessment Maps (pdf 7.7mb)