Expert Planning Objections for Green Belt & Grey Belt Developments

If you need to object to a planning application in the Green Belt or newly defined Grey Belt, you’re in the right place. Cedar Planning’s RTPI-chartered town planners prepare robust, policy-based objection letters that give local authorities clear, defensible reasons to refuse inappropriate development.

We assist residents, neighbours, landowners, parish councils, campaign groups and community organisations across England. Whether it’s a housing scheme, a commercial expansion, or a local plan allocation, we ensure your concerns are set out in a professionally written objection that aligns with national and local planning policy.

What is Green Belt land?

Green Belt land is designated to prevent urban sprawl and keep certain areas permanently open. According to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Green Belt exists to:

• Check unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas

• Prevent neighbouring towns merging

• Safeguard the countryside from encroachment

• Preserve the setting and special character of historic towns

• Assist in urban regeneration

Development within the Green Belt is inappropriate by default, unless it fits one of the very specific exceptions set out in national policy. Even then, it must preserve openness and avoid harm.

Understanding how a proposal interacts with these Green Belt purposes is essential when forming a successful objection.

What Is Grey Belt Land?

The December 2024 update to the NPPF introduced the concept of Grey Belt — land that sits within the Green Belt but:

• contains previously developed land, and/or

• does not strongly contribute to key Green Belt purposes (sprawl prevention, settlement separation, countryside encroachment), and/or

• where the application of 'footnote 7' policies does not provide a strong reason for refusing or resisting development. 

We ensure that your concerns are presented in a planning led and persuasive format - giving them weight in the planning process. For more information on examples of planning objections, visit our dedicated page here.

📋 Our Planning Objection Services Include:

• 🔍 Review of the planning application and supporting documents.

• 🗺️ Site and context analysis.

• 📚 Identification of planning grounds for objection.

• ✍️ Preparation of a formal planning objection letter.

• 🗣️ Help coordinating group or community objections.

• 📞 Submitting your objection to the local Council.

Your objection will be professionally written, targeted to the application, and submitted within the statutory deadline.

We ensure that each and every planning objection is well-researched and based on the relevant planning considerations. This includes through research of the relevant planning policies and documents submitted by the applicant, to identify where any weaknesses may lie. We handle all documentation and submissions on your behalf, saving you time and effort.

Why Choose Cedar Planning?

• ✔️ RTPI-chartered town planners with in-depth policy knowledge.

• ✔️ Experienced in objecting to residential and commercial schemes.

• ✔️ Strong understanding of local authority decision-making.

• ✔️ Support for individuals, businesses, neighbours, and residents’ groups.

• ✔️ Fast turnaround available for urgent objections.

• ✔️Support for individuals, groups and parish councils.

• ✔️Nationwide UK service.

We don’t just help you oppose an application—we help you do it effectively and professionally.

If you are concerned about a local development or proposal, contact Cedar Planning today for a no obligation quote for our services.