The 2012 NPPF: A Digest of Decisions

Section 3 – Supporting a prosperous rural economy

NPPF 28

Sienkiewicz v South Somerset District Council [2013] EWHC 4090 (Admin), Lewis J
Stephen Whale appeared for the Defendant

“The Framework would support the grant of planning permission for even a large scale expansion of a business in a rural area assuming, of course, that any adverse effects of the proposed development were considered acceptable and the proposed development was otherwise acceptable in planning terms. That approach appears, for example, from paragraph 28 of the Framework which says planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create jobs and prosperity.” [28]

Sienkiewicz v South Somerset District Council [2015] EWHC 3704 (Admin), Ouseley J
Stephen Whale appeared for the Defendant

“The NPPF is positive, supportive, welcoming, not restricted to small scale expansion or business. It focuses attention on sustainability, and that was fully considered by the Council.” [46]

Dignity Funerals Limited v Breckland District Council [2017] EWHC 1492 (Admin), Holgate J
Christopher Lockhart-Mummery KC and Zack Simons appeared for the Defendant

“paragraph 28 of the NPPF distinctly encourages “a positive approach to sustainable new development” in “rural areas” (and does not require need to be shown)” [61]