{"id":2341,"date":"2024-09-10T19:20:25","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T18:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slcproperty.co.uk\/?p=2341"},"modified":"2024-09-10T19:20:25","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T18:20:25","slug":"summary-of-the-proposed-key-changes-of-national-planning-policy-framework-nppf-consultation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pennstudiostaging.co.uk\/slc-property-2025\/summary-of-the-proposed-key-changes-of-national-planning-policy-framework-nppf-consultation\/","title":{"rendered":"Summary of the proposed key changes of National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is intended to summarise some of the key changes, together with some initial thoughts on the possible implications of the changes for the planning and development industry. It has been co-authored by Peter Gillan, of SLC Property, and Stuart Evans, of Anthony Collins Solicitors, both of whom have considerable experience in the planning and development sphere. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Government has provided further details of its proposed<\/span> \u2018<\/span>overhaul<\/span>\u2019 <\/span>of the planning system, with the publication of a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for an eight-week consultation until 24 September 2024. A tracked change version of the revised NPPF is available\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>, which <\/span>was published<\/span> alongside a Ministerial Statement, which is available\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As widely expected, the changes made to the NPPF in December 2023 <\/span>are proposed<\/span> to <\/span>be rescinded<\/span>. This latest consultation goes further in line with the new <\/span>Government\u2019s<\/span> emerging position on housebuilding and delivering economic growth, which has <\/span>been widely reported<\/span> since the election. The proposed changes include references to effective strategic planning playing a vital and increasing role in delivering sustainable <\/span>growth<\/span> and how key spatial issues are to <\/span>be addressed<\/span>. <\/span>Meeting housing needs, <\/span>delivering<\/span> strategic infrastructure and building economic and climate resilience are <\/span>identified as <\/span>examples of<\/span> key<\/span> strategic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Status of the proposed reforms<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It is important to note that until the new NPPF <\/span>is adopted<\/span> as policy, the current NPPF (December 2023) remains <\/span>national<\/span> planning policy, albeit that, of course, the NPPF is only ever a material consideration, and the weight attached to it may vary on a case-by-case basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Ministerial Statement accompanying the proposed reforms to the NPPF is a material planning consideration and can be referenced in decision-making until the new NPPF is adopted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Presumption<\/span> in <\/span>favour<\/span> of sustainable development and duty to cooperate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The presumption in <\/span>favour<\/span> of sustainable development has changed to encourage authorities to keep their local plans up to date (particularly where this concerns policies for the supply of land). <\/span>Such policies <\/span>are deemed<\/span> out-of-date if the authority cannot demonstrate a five-year land supply (the four-year variation for <\/span>neighbourhood<\/span> plans has <\/span>been removed<\/span>) or if delivery has been substantially below that expected (<\/span>i.e.<\/span> less than 75%).<\/span><\/p>\n

The duty to cooperate between authorities is maintained but with a much greater focus on <\/span>cross-boundary \u2018<\/span>problem solving<\/span>\u2019 <\/span>to deliver infrastructure and housing identified as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mandatory use of the standard method in assessing housing need<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The proposed reforms to the NPPF remove the reference to exceptional circumstances where <\/span>using<\/span> alternative approaches to assess housing <\/span>need<\/span> may be appropriate. <\/span>Whilst<\/span> Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) will <\/span>be expected<\/span> to make all efforts to allocate land in line with housing <\/span>need<\/span> as per the Standard Method, authorities <\/span>would be able to<\/span> justify a lower housing requirement than the figure the method sets based on local constraints on land and delivery. <\/span>Nevertheless, LPAs will need to evidence and <\/span>justify<\/span> their approach through Local Plan consultation and examination, including demonstrating they have taken all possible steps, including <\/span>optimising<\/span> density, sharing <\/span>need<\/span> with <\/span>neighbouring<\/span> authorities, and reviewing Green Belt boundaries, before <\/span>a lower housing requirement will be considered<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

New standard method for assessing housing need<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A new Standard Method <\/span>is proposed<\/span> to form the basis for calculating housing <\/span>need<\/span>. <\/span>This<\/span> uses a baseline set at a percentage of existing housing stock levels, designed to provide a stable baseline that drives a level of delivery proportionate to the existing size of settlements, rebalancing the national distribution <\/span>to better reflect the growth ambitions across the Midlands and North<\/span>. A <\/span>stronger<\/span> affordability multiplier is <\/span>then<\/span> applied to increase this baseline in proportion to price pressures, and previously applied caps and additions are removed to create an<\/span> \u2018<\/span>objective assessment of nee<\/span>d<\/span>\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rebalancing of distribution <\/span>is reflected<\/span> in the revised figures published alongside the NPPF consultation, which show <\/span>a:<\/span><\/p>\n