A New Era in Planning.

14 December 2024

The NPPF is just the start

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has attracted a lot of attention with its use of the Standard Method to determine new housing numbers required by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).  In parallel there are a number of other initiatives emerging, which long-term, may have an even greater effect.  These are due to be announced/consulted upon over the next six months. 

The long-term planning framework looks to be:

A Heavy Emphasis on Spatial Planning over wider areas than existing LPAs this will be supported by devolution of powers to heavily revised Local Government Areas.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure will be supported by enhanced powers for central government to require their inclusion in local plans.

Local Plans will still be vital to the system but will have to take Housing Numbers and key infrastructure projects from a national level.

Local plans will have to take into account the five golden rules.

  1. Brownfield first.
  2. Grey belt second.
  3. Affordable homes.
  4. Boost public services and infrastructure.
  5. Improve genuine green spaces.

Local Plans will attempt to upgrade local involvment and consultation during their preparation.

The First Half of 2025

The Society below gives a brief overview of what we understand may be happening over the next 6 months.  As more detail is available we will create a separate post to explain the detail, as we have done for the published NPPF.

NPPF

Published in Final Form and is now in force.  Full details on this link

Devolution White Paper

Includes proposals for:

  • Propose more devolved authorities, with larger areas and normally of unitary (2 tier) set ups.
  • 30 Mayors likely
  • Spatial Planning is a major item
  • Transport Management 
  • Mandated Strategic Plans – Aligned to Local Plans
  • Set Housing Targets at Strategic Level and manage distribution
  • Set General Extent of Greenbelt in Strategic Plans
  • Economic Infrastructure e.g. Data Centres etc
  • Water and Flooding
  • Geographic Boundaries will be published early 2025
    • (Note:  watch out for interesting discussions as merging councils have very varying degree’s of financial health e.g. Woking has a major debt issue.

Devolution White Paper is at this link.

Bill to be placed before Parliament mid-summer.

Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Increased powers to use compulsory Purchase orders (CPO) for  Brownfield Sites

Modernise Planning System (A consultation on this has been published available on this LINK  

Supports drive to move consultation to Plan Making Phase of local plans and make approving individual sites within the context of an agreed plan simpler.. 

Chase the 60% of councils who have old Local Plans

Bill Spring 2025

New Towns Taskforce

Interim Report Soon after Christmas, will identiy sites suitable for settlements of 10,000 and above.  As well as Greenfield sites can also be Regeneration or Urban extensions

Final Report by Late Summer

National Development Policies

Due next Summer, will standardise parts of Local Plans.  The NPPF will be updated to incorporate these standard elements. 

Design Codes

These are seen as of increasing importance, particulalry across a LPA. Note: It is not known if Guildford working on one.

Air Quality

Defra are believed to introducing new regulations that require air quality to be considered and as necessary mitigated in new development.

Integrated National Transport Strategy.

Launched Department of Transport. Links up to the Devolution White Paper as it will require areas to develop plans for integrated transport across modes. 

See Link

National Infrastructure Strategy

To be published by the government in spring 2025

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