An Urban Greening Factor Assessment, or UGF Assessment, is a planning tool used to measure the quantity and quality of greening within a development proposal.

It considers different types of green infrastructure and surface cover, such as:

• trees and planting

• green roofs and biodiverse roofs

• green walls

• rain gardens and sustainable drainage features

• amenity grassland and species-rich planting

• water features

• permeable paving

• hardstanding and sealed surfaces

Each surface type is assigned a factor score. The total area of each surface type is measured and entered into the UGF calculator to produce an overall Urban Greening Factor score.

A good UGF Assessment is not just a numerical exercise. The score depends on how the landscape, roofscape, drainage strategy, planting and external works are designed, measured and categorised. Accurate assessment and clear presentation can help reduce planning risk and avoid delays during validation or determination.

Urban Greening Factor requirements most commonly apply where local planning policy, validation guidance or planning officers require applicants to demonstrate how a development will provide meaningful urban greening.

This may include:

• major planning applications in Greater London

• minor applications in specific London boroughs where UGF requirements apply

• constrained urban sites where greening, biodiversity, drainage and amenity need to be carefully coordinated

• planning applications where the local authority has requested a UGF masterplan, UGF calculator or urban greening information

• UK cities and local planning authorities introducing Urban Greening Factor, Urban Green Factor or similar green infrastructure requirements

Requirements vary by location and application type. Landscape Ally can review the relevant planning context and advise whether a UGF Assessment is likely to be needed for your scheme.

For major developments in Greater London, Urban Greening Factor is an important part of the London Plan planning policy framework.

Landscape Ally can support major planning applications by preparing a clear UGF strategy, colour-coded UGF masterplan and completed UGF calculator that can be submitted as part of the planning application pack.

We can work alongside architects, planning consultants, ecologists, drainage engineers, arboriculturists and wider design teams to help ensure the UGF approach is coordinated with the wider scheme.

Our support can include:

• early UGF strategy and score testing

• review of proposed landscape, roof and external works layouts

• UGF surface cover measurement and categorisation

• preparation of a colour-coded UGF masterplan

• completion of the UGF calculator

• advice on practical ways to improve the UGF score

• coordination with green roofs, podium landscapes, SuDS, planting and tree proposals

• written UGF summary text for planning statements or Design and Access Statements where required

For larger or more complex schemes, we can also provide early design advice before the layout is fixed, helping project teams identify the most efficient ways to improve the score without creating avoidable redesign later.

Preparing a major planning application? Ask Landscape Ally to review your UGF strategy before the layout is fixed.

Urban Greening Factor is not only relevant to large schemes. Some London boroughs require UGF information for smaller residential planning applications, including minor developments.

Brent is a key example where applicants may be asked to provide an Urban Greening Factor masterplan and calculation for minor residential developments, subject to the council’s validation and planning requirements.

For smaller sites, the challenge is often space. Building footprints, access, refuse, cycle parking, privacy, drainage and amenity requirements can quickly reduce the area available for meaningful greening.

Landscape Ally can prepare proportionate UGF Assessments for minor applications, including constrained infill sites, small residential developments, backland sites, extensions, conversions and redevelopment proposals where UGF information is required.

Our minor application UGF package typically includes:

• review of the site plan, architectural layout or landscape proposals

• measurement of relevant existing and proposed surface cover types

• preparation of a clear UGF masterplan

• completion of the UGF calculator

• short advice on whether the scheme appears to meet the required target

• practical recommendations where the score needs improvement

Minor UGF Assessments can usually be completed within two working days, provided the required information is available.

Received a Brent UGF validation request? We can usually prepare the UGF masterplan and calculator within two working days.

Urban Greening Factor started as a prominent London planning tool, but similar approaches are increasingly being considered or introduced elsewhere in the UK.

In cities such as Manchester, urban greening, green infrastructure and Urban Green Factor-style approaches are becoming more relevant to planning policy and design expectations. Requirements will depend on the local planning authority, adopted policy, emerging policy, validation requirements and the nature of the proposal.

Landscape Ally can support project teams outside London where a UGF Assessment, Urban Green Factor calculation, green infrastructure statement or similar urban greening response is required.

For non-London projects, we can review the local planning requirement and prepare a proportionate response that aligns with the relevant policy, calculator or assessment method.