The New National Planning Policy Framework is out!

The Government has today (30 July 2024) published a new draft NPPF for consultation which will be open until 24 September 2024. It is accompanied by a consultation document listing 106 questions, many of which are wide-ranging in nature.

As widely trailed, the draft NPPF expunges many of the previous administration’s December 2023 NPPF changes – removing, for example, the 4 year housing land supply.

Comments are invited on the following key proposed changes (amongst others):

• Re-casting the basis for the Standard Method, using housing stock instead of household predictions
• Changing paragraph 11d both in terms of triggers for the tilted balance and its wording
• Introducing the concept of grey belt into green belt considerations
• Changing affordable housing and mix policy
• Refocusing design policy on good design rather than ‘beauty’.

The consultation document stresses the need to consider these changes in the context of the overall NPPF.

Rupert Warren KC, Richard Moules KC and Nick Grant advised MHCLG on the draft and consultation document.