As architects, we spend a sizeable amount of our time dealing with planning applications but what challenges do we face with our designs? We are going to take a look at some of the most common challenges we face over a series of blogs and in today’s blog, we specifically look at the impact of greenfield sites on planning applications.
So what is a greenfield site? A greenfield site is a previously undeveloped piece of land and therefore essentially makes the planning process more complex. It is land that is limited in its supply and difficult to develop for both commercial and residential projects. It is important to note however that a greenfield site is not the same as Green belt, although they can be situated within the same area and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) advises against development within a Green Belt area.
Greenfield sites have a tendency to not have services in place such as drainage and water supply, they can be difficult to access and often have poor local infrastructure. They are also subject to objections by local residents who wish to retain the wildlife and views of the surrounding countryside and can also be prone to ecological issues such as flooding and wildlife concerns.