The government has published its revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation.

It is a ‘full rewrite’ that goes further in its revisions than ever before, according to Housing Secretary Steve Reed, and is split into distinct sections for plan-making and development management.

The document includes some policies that have already been trailed by the government including non-statutory National Decision Making Policies (NDMPs) and default approvals for housing developments near train stations alongside minimum housing density rules.

The NPPF proposals also include:

• A default ‘yes’ to new homes building upwards in towns and cities, fast-tracking development schemes that meet high standards for well-designed homes.
• Measures so developers – particularly SME builders – can build higher density housing, such as modern apartments and flats, on smaller sites and under-used land where appropriate.
• A new ‘medium site’ category for sites between 10 to 49 homes so SME builders.
• Streamlining standards on energy efficiency and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• New builds to include nature-friendly features, such as swift bricks.
• ‘Preferential treatment’ for developments that strengthen local economies and provide new services, including shops, leisure facilities, and food production.

As ever, the devil will be in the detail and we will be analysing the document in depth to ascertain its implications as well as the challenges and opportunities it will offer.

We will keep you informed and lodge our response to the consultation, which is open until 10 March, in due course.

ENDS