Green Belt and Open Land Assessment

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (the 'Council') is preparing a Local Plan to guide future development in the borough until 2041. As part of the process of developing a Local Plan, it has begun gathering evidence to inform key land use planning issues. 32% of the borough is designated as either Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), collectively amounting to some 1,184 hectares.

This forms part of the Metropolitan Green Belt and London-wide MOL network. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) explains that the Green Belt designation aims to prevent urban sprawl and keep land permanently open and the London Plan explains that the NPPF's Green Belt policies should apply to MOL.

The NPPF allows Councils to alter Green Belt in exceptional circumstances through the preparation of the Local Plan and the London Plan also allows Councils to alter MOL boundaries through the Local Plan process. Given that the Green Belt and MOL designations cover a significant part of the borough and National and London-wide policy requirements, RBK will need robust evidence to justify the approach that the Council takes with regards to the Green Belt and MOL boundaries in its Local Plan.

The Council wishes to appoint a suitably qualified consultancy to undertake a Green Belt and MOL Assessment to help inform the preparation of its Local Plan. The Assessment will provide the Council with an understanding of: a) how different parts of the Green Belt fulfil the purposes of Green Belt designation as set out in paragraph 80 of the NPPF or how different parts of MOL meet the criteria set out in Policy 7.17 of the London Plan; b) in light of the findings of A) which parts of the Council's Green Belt or MOL (if any) could be considered further for removal from the Green Belt or MOL; and c) whether any additional land should be considered for designation as Green Belt or MOL, having regard to the advice set out in the NPPF or London Plan, as relevant.

It is also expected that the report will show an understanding of the role that Green Belt and MOL within Kingston plays as part of the whole Metropolitan Green Belt and London-wide MOL network and an awareness of other Green Belt Assessments (or similar) that have been undertaken by neighbouring local authorities. It should also refer to relevant case law relating the Green Belt or MOL.

It is anticipated that the Contract will be awarded in April 2017 with an anticipated contract start date of 12th April or thereabouts. The contract term will end when all work has been completed and the Council receives copies of an agreed final version of the Strategy in printed and electronic formats.