On 22 December 2022 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published their proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) through a consultation that will end on 2 March 2023.
Key policy objectives
Building beautiful and refusing ugliness
Securing the infrastructure needed to support development. New Infrastructure Delivery Strategies
More democratic engagement with communities on local plans
Better environmental outcomes
Empowering communities to shape their neighbourhood
Deliver more homes in the right places, supported by sustainable and integrated infrastructure for our communities and our economy
Some of the proposed changes:
Removal of requirement to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply (subject to housing requirement in strategic policies being less the 5 years old)
Greater protection of Green Belt in plan making - no requirement to review GB boundaries
Giving Neighbourhood Plans more weight as a consideration when determining speculative development
Changes to the tests of soundness for Local Plan-making with the removal of the “justified” test and amendment to “positively prepared” test
The “Standard Method” to continue to be used for assessing housing need (as a guide rather than a rule), but an alternative method where justified by exceptions (eg high proportion of elderly people or students)
Food production value of land as a consideration in planning decisions from Spring 2023
Regular referencing to supporting ‘beauty’ in design and placemaking and stronger emphasis on local design codes
The proposed revisions to the NPPF are in advance of a ‘fuller’ review of the Framework, dependent on the implementation of the Government’s proposals for wider change to the planning system, including the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
This early Christmas present from Michael Gove is seen as a comprimise deal to appease backbench housing rebels rather than the opportunity to overhaul the planning system that is required. Many in the industry are concerned that the proposed changes - particularly to housing targets will lead to less homes being delivered…