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Planning consideration

Previously developed land

Specifically used by local planning authorities when considering releasing green belt and has very specific requirements and purposes.

Design stage
Backlog
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Background information

Each planning consideration we work on passes through the stages of our design process, where we research and answer specific questions to help us collect more information.

Backlog

  • Who asked for 'Previously developed land' data?

  • What is the driver for the request?

  • Which 2024 focus area does the request support?

Screen

  • What is the 'Previously developed land' consideration?

    Land which has been lawfully developed and is or was occupied by a permanent structure and any fixed surface infrastructure associated with it, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed). It also includes land comprising large areas of fixed surface infrastructure such as large areas of hardstanding which have been lawfully developed. Previously developed land excludes: land that is or was last occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings; land that has been developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill, where provision for restoration has been made through development management procedures; land in built-up areas such as residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments; and land that was previously developed but where the remains of the permanent structure or fixed surface structure have blended into the landscape.

  • Is there legislation that defines 'Previously developed land'?

    Yes

    • What is the legislation that defines 'Previously developed land'?

      Previously developed land is defined within the NPPF - which isn't strictly legislation, but it does underpin the planning process.

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that describes how a 'Previously developed land' gets designated?

      December 2024 NPPF - glossary section

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that requires the publication of 'Previously developed land'?

  • Who, in law, is responsible for the planning consideration or makes decisions about 'Previously developed land'?

    The local planning authority

  • Which organisations do we think should publish the data?

  • Is the Previously developed land a trigger?

  • Is the Previously developed land something to consult during plan making?

    Yes

    • Provide information about when Previously developed land is used during plan making

      PDL will be considered during the local plan site allocation process and the decision making process when determining a planning application. LPAs are required by the NPPF to consider PDL over green or grey belt land.

  • Is there any Previously developed land data already available?

  • Do we think the data should come from a single source?

  • Will a data standard be required?

Research

  • Do we understand the lifecycle of a Previously developed land?

  • Do we understand how the data is created/produced?

  • Where will or should the data be used?

  • Local plan, site allocated, brownfield site register, decision making

  • Who are the statutory consultees for Previously developed land?

  • Other than the statutory consultees who are the primary users of Previously developed land? How do we expect them to use Previously developed land?

  • What are the planning needs for this data?

    The planning need comes from the NPPFs require for LPAs to consider PDL for development over other land designations - such as green or grey belt land, when considering sites suitable for development

  • Who are the types of users who might benefit from having access to Previously developed land data?

  • What are some potential uses of Previously developed land data?

    Identifying sites suitable for development.

  • What's the value of adding Previously developed land data to the platform?

    There is high value for getting this on the platform to understand where these sites are and which sites would be suitable for development. The NPPF prioritises PDL over other land designations for development.

  • From what we have learnt so far are there any risks to making Previously developed land data available?

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Last updated: 2025-04-24 16:09:33