Cover story
NPPF review... more planning tweaks
A revised National Planning Policy Framework( NPPF) has been published and while industry would suggest that its direction was the first reform required by the Labour government, it is a considerable step forward to making the planning system more positive about development; albeit with some caveats and still not rules based approach.
As the document is not statutory, we will see how Local Planning Authorities( LPAs) react but there are interesting changes, the most prominent of which is the Medium sized site, a policy which was proposed and delivered, including the 2.5 hectare limit( originally proposed at 1 hectare) by the House Builders Association( HBA).
Below is a choice number of policies which will have a change in opportunity, planning and development process.
Plan making
• PM1: Spatial development strategies( SDS): SDS will last at least 25 years from adoption, with a requirement to being preparing a replacement / alteration no later than seven years after the current version has been adopted. To advance the SDS, the Secretary of State has been granted intervention powers is progress is slow.
• PM2: Local plans should be adopted within 30 months, reviewed no later than
5 years post adoption and must plan for at least 10 years.
• Policy PM6: Plan making will increasingly implement digital planning tools and methodologies.
Presumption in favour of sustainable development
The presumption has changed so that location, settlement boundary and environmental exceptions are stronger reasons than whether plans are out of date.
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