APRS have been campaigning on Green Belts for over 90 years and we are still working to uphold and strengthen the protection of these vital spaces around our cities for nature and for people.
We support groups and individuals campaigning to protect their green belt through our APRS Green Belts Alliance. We create guidance, campaign, meet as a network and have a regular email newsletter on issues of interest.
Selected Resources on Green Belts and Planning
We have created resources to help and advise on planning and greenbelts – including guidance on the planning system, case studies, and specific information about greenbelts.
Advice Note for Green Belts
This advice note explains the purpose of green belts and what protection they offer.
Advice Note on the Planning System
We regularly give advice on various topics relating to our work and objectives and also respond to many enquiries from our members and the general public. This document provides general information on the Planning System
Planning Case Studies 2009-2014
These Case Studies provide examples of cases where we have provided advice and guidance.to help local communities engage with landscape change in their areas.. They provide an insight into the type of work we do.
See all our resources on planning
Help finding your local green belt
This map produced by The Spatial Hub shows, among other things, green belts. Try checking ‘green belts’ in the map layers to see the green belts in your local area.
If you would like to see the green belts of each local authority we have created maps from the information in the Spatial Hub. These were created in 2020 so for the most up to date information please use the spatial hub.
Latest News on Green Belts
APRS’s campaigning has lead to some key improvements for green belt protection in the latest planning law. In this blog Nikki Sinclair, our Green Belts Alliance Manager explains what the new planning framework means for communities campaigning on planning and for protection of green belts.
More about Green Belts
Why are green belts so vital in a climate and nature emergency? Nikki Sinclair explains.
What is a Green Belt? A Green Belt is the designated open land around, beside or within an urban area
APRS have been campaigning on planning issues for nearly a century, since we formed in 1926. Our campaign to create Scotland’s first planning system and green belts was achieved in the 30s and 40s, and we have supported groups to protect their greenbelts and engage with the planning system ever since.
Help us protect Green Belts
To support us to extend our support for communities working to protect their countryside please donate to our new appeal.
donate hereOur Green Belt Campaigning
We support the presumption against development on designated Green Belt land and believe that permission for any development of Green Belt should only be given in exceptional circumstances. Such planning decisions should be democratically arrived at, through the Local Development Plan process, rather than via speculative applications.
Over the years we have produced hundreds of submissions, briefings and consultation responses in our work campaigning to protect and enhance green belts. Here are a few of the latest.
Green Belt Campaigning 2020-22
Our responses, policies and statements on topics relevant to APRS’s aims
Please see new learning resources for more National Park worksheets and activities for use in the classroom or at home.
APRS gratefully acknowledges the funding which Awards for All has provided towards this project.