New Simplified Planning Framework Launched

The government has launched a new National Planning Policy Framework, which it hopes will support growth and help to create the homes and investment that the country needs. The new document is intended to make planning guidance much simpler and more accessible – reducing over 1,300 pages spread between 44 separate documents into a document of 50 pages.

The draft framework, published in July 2011, had attracted criticism from heritage and environmental groups over a perceived failure within the document to protect the nation’s natural and historic environment. Although the new document retains many of the key elements of the original framework, it adds further clarification of the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, and includes the restoration of a clear emphasis on brown-field development and town centre first.

A key component of the plans is the emphasis on local authorities to take responsibility for development in their area. The challenge is now for these local authorities to provide local planning frameworks, and with a transitional period of only 12 months, some planning authorities will be required to raise their game  significantly in a very short space of time.

The government is hopeful that the new framework will not only help the country meet its housing and infrastructure needs, but also reduce the planning permission waiting times which have been dampening private sector investment.

Commenting on the document, BWF Policy Executive Matt Mahony, said:

“We hope that the new National Planning Policy Framework will mean that unnecessary delays in the planning system will no longer be a barrier to providing the homes, infrastructure and investment that the country needs.

A planning framework to get Britain building is essential to kickstart growth and employment, not least in the joinery sector, but the new revisions and the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ should help reassure heritage and environmental groups that the natural environment will be protected.

The onus is now on local authorities to provide appropriate local plans to meet the needs of local people and businesses, and not to stand in the way of sustainable development.

Whilst the BWF is supportive of the new framework, the true test will be whether it meets the government’s stated aim of providing a quicker and more responsive planning system.”

A copy of the National Planning Policy Framework can be found at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf