What Is a Settlement Boundary?
A settlement boundary is a planning policy line drawn around a town, village or settlement that helps define where development is generally considered acceptable in principle. Land located within the settlement boundary is typically regarded as being part of the built-up area, whilst land outside the boundary is usually treated as countryside and may be subject to more restrictive planning policies. Settlement boundaries are commonly used by local planning authorities to guide future growth and manage development in a sustainable manner.
Its purpose is to distinguish:
Settlement boundaries form part of a Local Plan and help councils manage growth over time.
When assessing planning applications, councils frequently consider whether a site lies:
Why Settlement Boundaries Matter
Settlement boundaries can have an important influence on how planning policies are applied and how development proposals are assessed. In many cases, land located within a settlement boundary may be considered more favourably for development than land outside it, particularly where proposals align with the local planning authority's development strategy.
However, settlement boundaries are only one factor among many. Planning decisions are also influenced by considerations such as local planning policies, housing need, site-specific constraints, sustainability, accessibility, environmental impacts and the overall planning balance. As a result, being outside a settlement boundary does not automatically prevent development, just as being within one does not guarantee planning permission.
Can Land Outside a Settlement Boundary Be Developed?
Many successful developments are located outside existing settlement boundaries, particularly where there is a recognised need for new housing, employment land or other forms of development.
Being outside a settlement boundary does not automatically prevent development. Settlement boundaries are planning policy tools rather than absolute barriers to development, and they can be reviewed, amended or extended through the Local Plan process. In some circumstances, land outside a settlement boundary may be considered suitable for allocation as a future development site, particularly where it is sustainable, available and capable of being delivered.
Potential opportunities can arise where:
- Housing demand is high
- Local Plans are out of date
- The site represents sustainable growth
- Housing land supply is constrained
- A Local Plan review is underway
The prospects for development will depend on a range of factors, including planning policy, site characteristics, local housing or employment needs, infrastructure capacity and the wider planning context. For this reason, land beyond a settlement boundary should not be dismissed without a detailed assessment of its development potential.
How Settlement Boundaries Change
Settlement boundaries are not permanent. They are established through the planning process and can be reviewed, amended or extended as part of Local Plan updates and reviews.
As towns and villages grow, local planning authorities often reassess settlement boundaries to accommodate future housing, employment and infrastructure needs. This can result in land that was previously outside a settlement boundary being brought within it and identified for future development.
For landowners, this can be particularly significant. Land currently located beyond a settlement boundary may have the potential to become part of a future development allocation if it is well located, sustainable and capable of being delivered. As a result, Local Plan reviews, Call for Sites exercises and other planning consultations can create important opportunities for land to be considered for future growth.
Understanding how settlement boundaries are evolving can therefore be an important part of assessing a site's long-term development potential and future value.
Why Some Sites Are Added
When reviewing settlement boundaries and identifying land for future growth, local planning authorities will typically favour sites that can contribute towards meeting development needs in a sustainable and deliverable manner. Authorities typically favour sites that are:
Sites adjoining existing settlements often perform strongly during Local PLan reviews because they can represent a logical and sustainable extension of the built-up area. Such sites may benefit from proximity to existing services, facilities, transport links and infrastructure, making them attractive candidates for future growth when local planning authorities review settlement boundaries and identify land for development.
Related Guides
Settlement boundaries are closely linked to Local Plan reviews, housing needs and the assessment of sites for future growth. These related guides explain how land is submitted, assessed and allocated, when the tilted balance may apply, and the routes available for pursuing planning permission.
Local Plan Allocation Guide
Understand how Local Plan reviews can change settlement boundaries and allocate land to accommodate future growth.
Click hereCall for Sites Guide
Find out how landowners can submit edge-of-settlement sites for assessment during Local Plan preparation and reviews.
Click hereWhat is a HELAA or SHLAA?
Learn how councils assess whether land outside an existing settlement boundary may be suitable, available and achievable.
Click hereWhat is a 5 Year Housing Land Supply?
Understand why housing land shortages can increase pressure for suitable sites beyond existing settlement boundaries.
Click hereTilted Balance Planning Guide
Explore how out-of-date policies or a housing land supply shortfall may affect proposals outside a settlement boundary.
Click hereCan I Get Planning Permission on My Land?
Review the principal planning routes and site factors that may allow land beyond a boundary to secure permission.
Click hereSearch Our Live Planning Guides
Search our live planning pages to identify open Call for Sites exercises, follow Local Plan progress and find current HELAA or SHLAA opportunities across England.
Open Call for Sites Guide
Search for open Call for Sites exercises and opportunities to submit land for consideration by local planning authorities across England.
Search opportunitiesLocal Plan Progress Guide
Follow Local Plan reviews, consultations and key preparation stages to understand when land promotion opportunities may arise.
Search Local PlansHELAA & SHLAA Opportunities Guide
Search for current HELAA and SHLAA assessments, land availability reviews and related opportunities across England.
Search assessmentsFrequently Asked Questions
Free Settlement Boundary Review
Value My Land can assess whether your site may benefit from future settlement growth and identify emerging Local Plan opportunities.