The National Planning Policy Framework: what it means for you

1. The National PlanningPolicy Framework:what it means for you

2. Planning reform: main aims • Putting power in the hands of communities • Promoting sustainable development • Conserving and enhancing the environment • Simplifying and speeding-up the system

3. The NPPF: key features • Radical reduction in amount of policy… • But basic principles retained (including key protections) • Emphasis on planning being genuinely plan-led – with prime importance attached to local plans • Increased emphasis on driving and supporting sustainable development and good design • And on proportionate, early engagement in development management • Recognises need to take into account the different roles/character of places

4. Approach to sustainable development • NPPF makes clear this should be at the heart of what planning is about • References broad principles set out by UN and in the UK Sustainable Development Strategy • Gains to be sought across economic, social & environmental dimensions • Topic-based sections on ‘delivering sustainable development’ – what SD means in practice for planning Economy

5. The presumption • Works within statutory framework • Sets clear expectation for plan-making: objectively assessed needs should be met • For decision-taking: • proposals in line with the plan should be approved without delay; • where plan is absent/silent or relevant policies out-of-date, approve unless adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits • In all cases: unless specific policies - e.g. Green Belt or National Parks - indicate development should be restricted

6. Building a strong economy and delivering homes • Significant weight on need to support economic growth as a national priority • Plan proactively to meet development needs, and assess the impact of policies on viability of development • Re-emphasises importance of town centres and the rural economy • Local Plans to meet the full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing, as far as is consistent with the NPPF policies

7. Conserving and enhancing the environment • NPPF supports implementation of the Natural Environment White Paper • Plan positively for networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure • Encourage brownfield land back into use, provided it is not of high environmental value • Support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding • Protections for historic environment maintained

8. Requiring good design • Indivisible from good planning • Developments should function well and add to overall quality of the area • Significant weight for truly outstanding or innovative designs… • … and refuse permission for development of poor design • Applicants expected to work with communities in shaping schemes • Design review arrangements to help ensure high standards of design IKON, Street, Somerset (Mendip DC) - Housing Design Awards 2010 - overall winner

9. Implementation • Policies in Framework applied from day of publication • Plans not to be considered out-of-date just because they were prepared prior to the Framework • Due weight for existing plan policies according to degree of conformity with the Framework • 12 month period of full weight for policies in post 2004 DPDs even if limited degree of conflict with the Framework • Appropriate weight for emerging plans

10. What it means for plan-making • Reinforces the good reasons for having an up-to-date plan: • Local plans are the primary vehicles for making decisions about scale & location of growth • Involving communities in decisions about the future shape of their areas and providing strategic framework for neighbourhood plans • Basis for strategic planning and co-operation across authorities on wider issues through the Duty to Co-operate • Providing a vision and framework for investment in the area • Identifying & coordinating infrastructure requirements (including CIL evidence base)

11. What it means for decision-taking • Requires a positive, proactive approach – whether up-to-date plans are in place or not • Presumption makes it more important than ever to have clear reasons for refusal (and approval) • In the absence of an up to date plan the NPPF provides a policy framework for making decisions • Importance of early pre-application engagement involving all parties (including communities and other consenting bodies)

12. What next? • Advice and support for councils to help deliver on ambitions of NPPF and accelerate plan-making: • LGA / PAS: programme of support for officers and councillors • PINS: support to facilitate rapid updating of plans and bringing forward plans for publication and examination • DCLG: overall co-ordination of implementation; available to engage directly with councils where helpful