Will metropolitan areas within Green Belt regions experience a revitalized urban period?
In the heart of the UK's revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the concept of 'gentle density' is taking centre stage. This approach, which promotes modestly increased housing density through infill that respects neighbourhood character and quality of life, is set to play a significant role in urban regeneration and alleviating housing shortages.
Increasing Housing Supply
Gentle density involves the development of duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, or small clusters of units, providing more homes while maintaining the scale and feel of a neighbourhood. This strategy helps address housing shortages without urban sprawl[1][4].
Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure Efficiency
By focusing on incremental infill, gentle density encourages the revitalization of underused or underdeveloped land while protecting local character, green spaces, and residents’ quality of life[1][5]. Additionally, more homes in urban areas make better use of transportation, services, and utilities already in place, enhancing sustainability and reducing the need for costly new infrastructure[2].
Affordability and Social Outcomes
Gentle density can enable a mix of housing types and price levels, contributing to inclusive communities if supported by policies such as developer incentives or affordable housing requirements[1][4].
Challenges and Considerations
While promising, gentle density must address concerns over shading, parking, and maintaining neighbourhood character. Successful projects often require local council support, incentives, and community engagement[1][5].
The UK's NPPF and Gentle Density
The revised NPPF, which encourages making effective use of land and increasing housing supply to meet demand, aligns well with the emphasis on sustainable development and gentle density[1][2]. The framework's support for small-scale development and infill makes gentle density a practical tool for tackling housing shortages in cities, fostering urban renewal without heavy-handed redevelopment.
Upward Extensions and Green Belt Developments
The guidance encourages local planning authorities to take a positive approach towards well-designed upward extension schemes, particularly mansard roofs. However, the debate over Green Belt and 'grey belt' developments, currently at the forefront of development decisions, presents a challenge[6]. The changes to the NPPF, currently being consulted upon, include removing mandatory housing targets and tightening up on Green Belt development[7]. These changes may result in major schemes being called in and refused permission, exacerbating the current housing crisis.
The Future of 'Gentle Density'
Despite some controversy surrounding the effectiveness of airspace development and the impact of building mansard roofs on the housing shortage, the current government prioritizes gentle density in urban areas over greenfield development[8]. The concept of 'gentle density', while still unclear in a planning context, is defined as a central theme of the revised NPPF[9]. Good design is closely linked to good land use, especially in urban areas, and the guidance places renewed importance on upwards extensions, including the use of mansard roofs[10].
In conclusion, the emphasis on 'gentle density' in the UK's revised NPPF offers a balanced, community-centered strategy to boost housing availability within cities, enhance urban regeneration, and support environmental and social sustainability goals. The challenges and considerations must be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of this approach.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2/national-planning-policy-framework [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future [3] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#density [4] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#housing [5] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#communities [6] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#green-belt [7] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future [8] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#brownfield [9] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#beauty [10] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nppf-planning-for-the-future/national-planning-policy-framework--2-planning-for-the-future#design
- The concept of 'gentle density' in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) focuses on modestly increased housing density through infill that respects neighbourhood character and quality of life, playing a key role in urban regeneration.
- With solutions like duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, or small clusters of units, gentle density provides more homes while maintaining the scale and feel of a neighbourhood, addressing housing shortages without urban sprawl.
- The approach to gentle density encourages the revitalization of underused or underdeveloped land in the community, protecting local character, green spaces, and residents’ quality of life.
- Successful projects in gentle density often require local council support, incentives, and community engagement to address concerns over shading, parking, and maintaining neighborhood character.
- In the future, the government aims to prioritize detailed design and good land use, emphasizing well-designed upward extension schemes, including mansard roofs, in urban areas as tools for tackling housing shortages.
- The emphasis on 'gentle density' in the UK's revised NPPF, when implemented effectively, fosters urban regeneration, supports environmental and social sustainability goals, and offers a community-focused solution to enhance housing availability within cities.
