Introduction
On 19 December 2023 the Government published a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2023) following on from its consultation on a draft of this document back in December 2022.
The NPPF 2023 document can be accessed at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework–2
In this blog post we discuss the major policy changes under NPPF 2023, together with some other announcements made by the Government which will impact on the planning system.
Major policy changes under NPPF 2023
We consider the major policy changes made under the NPPF 2023 to concern housing supply and delivery and Green Belt protection.
With regards to housing supply and delivery, there is no longer a requirement on Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to maintain a rolling 5-year housing land supply, but only if the LPA has an adopted local plan that is less than five years old which has been examined by an inspector and they have identified in that plan at least a 5 year supply of specific, deliverable sites. The Housing Delivery Test remains in NPPF 2023 but with some changes to the buffer requirements. The proposed changes consulted on by the Government regarding the ‘soundness’ test for local plans have not been taken forward in NPPF 2023 and the ‘justified’ requirement remains.
Green Belt protection has been revised under NPPF 2023 to now provide that there is generally no requirement on LPAs to review or alter Green Belt boundaries when local plans are being prepared or updated in order to meet housing need. Where a LPA chooses to conduct a review, Green Belt boundaries are only to be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified.
Housing delivery in London
Perhaps even of more interest to those involved with housing development in London, is that Michael Gove the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has written a strongly worded letter to the Mayor of London regarding the inadequacy of housing delivery in London and proposing a formal review of this to increase delivery.
The Secretary of State’s letter can be found at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housebuilding-in-london-letter-from-the-secretary-of-state-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities
Improving the performance of LPAs
The Secretary of State has also made a speech to RIBA on 19 December 2023 in which he took a tougher stance with LPAs which are underperforming, by announcing that he would intervene in 7 authorities (Amber Valley, Ashfield, Basildon, Castle Point, Medway, St Albans and Uttlesford) for failure to have an adopted local plan or a draft submitted for examination and designating Fareham and Chorley for poor quality decision-making.
The Secretary of State also promised additional measures to come to assist in improving the performance of LPAs and the wider planning system, including to consult on measures to limit LPAs using extension of time agreements, to publish league tables of LPA performance, as well as to conduct a review of the statutory consultee system. There will also be a ‘Planning Super Squad’ established of leading planners and specialists to assist in unblocking major developments.
A transcript of the Secretary of State’s speech can be accessed at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/falling-back-in-love-with-the-future
Note: all comments and views expressed in this blog are merely opinions and provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice which can be relied upon. Should you require legal advice on a matter then please contact us
