The latest changes to the government’s planning policy were published on the 24th July 2018 with a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This is the first revision since the original version was issued back in 2012. The driving force of these changes and what lies at the heart of the revised document is the government’s desire to build more new homes. Especially with the current provision of new homes nationally falling far below the government’s target of 300,000 homes per year by the next decade.
What do these changes mean in practice?
The revisions have not meant a total relaxation of planning policy. It still looks for schemes to follow the principles of sustainable development and for councils to follow their adopted local planning policy. However, if a council’s policy is not up to date (such as housing supply numbers) there is much further scope for housing developments to be successful. The pressure is now upon councils to demonstrate why they are not accepting housing schemes.
Other key changes are policies promoting live-work accommodation in rural areas and for councils to show greater flexibility over accommodation on farms and rural businesses.