On 12th December 2024, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the much anticipated latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This carries forward many of the changes proposed in the consultation version. For decision taking, the NPPF applies from today. In respect of local plan making, transitional arrangement have been put in place.

The key points of note in the new document are:

• The Standard Method to assess the level of housing need increases by circa 20% in England in order to respond to areas with poor housing affordability. The result is a total of 371,541 new homes are required nationally per annum.

• A six-year housing land supply requirement comes into effect for local authorities with a local plan housing requirement over five years old, where it is 80% or less of the level set by the new Standard Method;

• The introduction of Grey Belt and clarification on circumstances whereby Green Belt land can be released for development;

• The level of affordable housing required on housing sites removed from the Grey/Green Belt;

• The approach to the sequential test for assessing Flood Risk; and

• The transition arrangements for the application of the new NPPF for decision taking and plan making.

• In respect of design, the word ‘beautiful’ has been removed from the new version, the goal of planning policy remains to ensure ‘high quality’ design.

• In respect of renewable energy and infrastructure, the new version brings to an end the effective ban on onshore wind generation in England.

Relevant parts of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) have also been updated, including housing and economic needs assessment, housing supply/delivery and plan making.
The Government has also confirmed the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill next year, which will further reform the planning system, including a national scheme of delegation, which may effectively give more powers to professional planning officers and standardise the scope of elected planning committees. It is hoped that this will remove the delays and unpredictability which plagues the current planning committee system.

The updated NPPF is considered by the industry to be a positive step towards trying to achieve the government’s growth targets. It certainly sends a clear message to Local Planning Authorities that there is a need to get their Local Plans in place in order to have any chance of meeting the new housing targets or face continual waves of speculative applications.

It is clear that a wide range of sites will be required to enable the delivery of the Government’s ambitious housing targets. If you have any questions about the implications of the new NPPF on your land or buildings, please get in touch with our planning consultancy team.

e: advice@wilsonwraight.co.uk
t: 01284 700727