Urban Greening Factor Guidance

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Consultation has concluded

Engagement on the UGF Guidance has now ended.

The guidance has now been published and is available on the UGF webpage  


Development should help to make London greener. To achieve this, London Plan Policy G5 requires all major developments to include urban greening as a fundamental element of site and building design. The policy introduces the use of an Urban Greening Factor (UGF) to evaluate the quantity and quality of urban greening provided by a development proposal.

We have developed draft Urban Greening Factor guidance to support boroughs and applicants in meeting the requirements of the London Plan and have engaged with stakeholders about the guidance. An alternative version of the guidance that is accessible for screen readers is also available.

A UGF calculator has been prepared to help applicants calculate the UGF score of a scheme and present the relevant information as part of their application.

biodiverse planting including reeds and fruit trees surround a body of water on a rooftop


What has happened so far

The draft guidance has been developed with input from AECOM and through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including planners, developers and landscape architects. The draft guidance was published for information in March 2021, with public engagement carried out in the autumn of 2021, including a series of consultation events on the guidance.

If you have any queries about this consultation, please email UrbanGreeningFactorLPG@london.gov.uk


Equality impact assessment

The equality implications of the draft guidance have been assessed through an equality impact assessment, which can be viewed in the document library.


What happens next

The final guidance was published in 2023.

Register to be notified of planning policy consultations or sign up for GLA Planning News.

Engagement on the UGF Guidance has now ended.

The guidance has now been published and is available on the UGF webpage  


Development should help to make London greener. To achieve this, London Plan Policy G5 requires all major developments to include urban greening as a fundamental element of site and building design. The policy introduces the use of an Urban Greening Factor (UGF) to evaluate the quantity and quality of urban greening provided by a development proposal.

We have developed draft Urban Greening Factor guidance to support boroughs and applicants in meeting the requirements of the London Plan and have engaged with stakeholders about the guidance. An alternative version of the guidance that is accessible for screen readers is also available.

A UGF calculator has been prepared to help applicants calculate the UGF score of a scheme and present the relevant information as part of their application.

biodiverse planting including reeds and fruit trees surround a body of water on a rooftop


What has happened so far

The draft guidance has been developed with input from AECOM and through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including planners, developers and landscape architects. The draft guidance was published for information in March 2021, with public engagement carried out in the autumn of 2021, including a series of consultation events on the guidance.

If you have any queries about this consultation, please email UrbanGreeningFactorLPG@london.gov.uk


Equality impact assessment

The equality implications of the draft guidance have been assessed through an equality impact assessment, which can be viewed in the document library.


What happens next

The final guidance was published in 2023.

Register to be notified of planning policy consultations or sign up for GLA Planning News.