A green belt under pressure : the case of Cambridge, England

Debates around the purpose of green belts arise regularly in England. The aim of this paper is to contribute to this debate by examining the way in which pressures to review green belt policy have mounted at the local level. The paper evaluates the way that planning policy in the Cambridge sub-region has shifted in emphasis to reflect changing national directives and in response to localized growth pressures. Focusing upon the University of Cambridge’s proposed urban extension, the paper demonstrates the way that this key stakeholder’s needs have taken precedence, outweighing green belt designation.