Trainee planning solicitor Anna Becker gives an update on recent amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework.
The National Planning Policy Framework ('NPPF') is a key document, initially introduced in 2012, which sets out National Planning Policy for England. Specifically, the NPPF provides guidance as to how locally prepared plans for development are produced and how decisions on development should be made by local authorities taking into consideration environmental, economic, and social planning policies.
On the 5th September 2023, the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (‘Secretary of State’) provided an update to the NPPF. The NPPF has not been updated since 2021 but, in comparison to the last update, very little has changed.
The main amendments to this policy come under 'Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change'. The update to the NPPF should assist decision makers dealing with proposals to use and improve existing renewable energy sites giving weight to the advantages of doing so.
The addition of a new paragraph under this header specifies that 'Wind Energy Development involving one or more turbines can also be permitted through Local Development Orders, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders'. The increase in accepted routes to achieve development of Wind Turbine sites is intended to make the process more flexible and therefore quicker and easier to increase wind farms producing renewable or low carbon energy.
One highly anticipated amendment that was not made in the September update is in respect of the five-year land supply. The five-year land supply within the NPPF requires local authorities to provide a five-year rolling supply of housing land and is assisted by the Housing Delivery Test, a calculation of whether there is a steady supply of homes to meet local housing needs.
Statistics regarding housing supply in 2023 is due to be published on the 28th September on the government website.
It was suggested, at the end of 2022 by the Secretary of State, that the obligation for the five-year housing supply may eventually be removed, where local plans are up to date. This will allow local authorities to take more control with regard to the consideration of planning applications and will therefore allow them a greater opportunity to shape their community. However, this does not necessarily mean that they will deliver a solid housing supply, even though more local authorities will likely have up to date plans. It was also specifically mentioned that those authorities who had previously overdelivered on housing would be allowed to take this into account and lower the number of houses they need to provide on their plan, this may therefore further reduce the overall housing supply nationally.
If you would like to speak to one of our planning law solicitors, about the National Planning Policy Framework, or any other planning issue, please do get in touch.
Call us on 01206 593933 today to speak with one of our planning law team. Or complete the form below.
A Mackman Group collaboration - market research by Mackman Research | website design by Mackman
