Urban Greening Factor (UGF)

Question: What is the Urban Greening Factor?

Answer: The Urban Greening Factor (UGF) is a planning tool that measures the amount and quality of green infrastructure provided by a development. It assigns a factor to each surface type, from 1.0 for semi-natural vegetation to 0 for sealed surfaces, and calculates a weighted score by dividing the total green cover value by the site area.

The UGF is a requirement of London Plan Policy G5 for major developments and is being adopted by other Local Planning Authorities across England as a means of securing greening in urban areas.

Question: What UGF score is required?

Answer: London Plan Policy G5 sets a target score of 0.4 for developments that are predominantly residential and 0.3 for predominantly commercial developments, excluding B2 and B8 uses. London Boroughs may set their own targets through Local Plans, and some have adopted higher scores. The GLA’s Urban Greening Factor Guidance (2023) sets out how the calculation must be undertaken and the evidence required.

Question: How is the UGF calculated?

Answer: The calculation identifies every surface within the site boundary and assigns it a factor from the London Plan table, for example:

• Semi-natural vegetation and wetland: 1.0
• Intensive green roof and flower-rich perennial planting: 0.8
• Extensive green roof, hedges and standard trees (canopy area): 0.7
• Amenity grassland: 0.4
• Rain gardens and vegetated SuDS: 0.7
• Permeable paving: 0.1
• Sealed surfaces: 0

Each area is multiplied by its factor, summed and divided by the total site area to give the UGF score.

Question: What must be submitted with a planning application?

Answer: Applications must include a completed UGF calculation, typically using the GLA template, supported by a plan showing each surface type and area, a schedule of green infrastructure and a landscape plan demonstrating that the proposals are deliverable and maintainable. Officers check the calculation against the landscape drawings, and the greening is secured by condition. Post-completion verification may also be required.

Question: How can a development achieve the UGF target?

Answer: Achieving the target on dense urban sites usually requires a combination of measures including green roofs on all suitable flat roofs, tree planting with adequate soil volume, hedges, climbing plants on walls, rain gardens and SuDS, flower-rich planting and, where feasible, green walls. Early consideration in the design allows roof structures, soil depths and irrigation to be provided, which is far more difficult to retrofit later.

Question: How does the UGF relate to Biodiversity Net Gain and SuDS?

Answer: The UGF, Biodiversity Net Gain and SuDS requirements all reward green infrastructure, but each uses a different calculation and rewards different features. A coordinated landscape strategy can deliver all three efficiently, for example using biodiverse green roofs, rain gardens and native planting that score well in the UGF, provide biodiversity units and attenuate surface water. Consultants should prepare the three assessments together to avoid conflicting proposals.

Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for Urban Greening Factor calculations?

Answer: Syntegra Group prepares Urban Greening Factor calculations and supporting landscape and green infrastructure strategies for developments in London and other authorities adopting the UGF. Our landscape, ecology, drainage and sustainability teams work together to identify the most effective greening measures for each site and to align the UGF with Biodiversity Net Gain, SuDS and BREEAM requirements.

We provide clear, accurate calculations and drawings that satisfy planning officers and support successful applications.