This week the government introduced significant changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The aim is to address evolving national priorities such as housing, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure. These updates are crucial as they will shape the way planning decisions are made across England.
Here’s a breakdown of the key changes and their implications to applicants and developers.
Focus on housing delivery:
One of the central changes in the NPPF 2024 is the recalibration of housing targets. While the previous framework emphasised the “standard method” for calculating housing needs, the new updates provide greater flexibility to local authorities.
Local authorities are now allowed to refine housing targets based on local constraints such as green belt boundaries or protected landscapes.
Additionally, the emphasis on “brownfield first” policies has been strengthened, encouraging development on previously used land before greenfield sites are considered.
Alongside a renewed push for “build-out rates” this should ensure housing developments proceed at pace, rather than leaving approved sites undeveloped.
While this flexibility may empower councils to address local concerns, it could lead to a reduction in the overall number of homes delivered, potentially exacerbating the housing crisis.
Encouraging design excellence:
The updated NPPF reiterates the importance of high-quality design in new developments. Local design codes are now mandatory, providing clear guidelines to ensure developments align with community preferences and aesthetic standards.
There will also be a greater focus on creating “beautiful and sustainable places,” with explicit policies to prevent poorly designed schemes from proceeding.
Developers and applicants must now engage with local communities and design codes early in the planning process to avoid delays or rejections. This change is intended to foster better relationships between developers, councils, and residents.
Strengthening environmental protections:
The government has underscored its commitment to meeting net-zero goals, which is reflected in the enhanced environmental policies in the updated NPPF.
These policies include stricter rules on biodiversity net gain (BNG), requiring developments to demonstrate measurable enhancements to local biodiversity. As well as the reinforcement of protections for green belt land, alongside a new focus on enhancing green belt quality.
With a greater emphasis on climate adaptation measures, such as flood resilience and low-carbon construction practices, these policies aim to speed up the process in achieving the countries net-zero goal.
These changes will have strong implications for developers who will need to account for the costs and logistics of achieving biodiversity net gain and comply with stricter sustainability measures.
What’s next?
The changes to the NPPF 2024 reflect a balancing act between localism and national priorities, with a clear focus on housing, sustainability, and community engagement. These updates challenge all stakeholders – planners, developers and local authorities – to adapt their strategies while navigating the potential trade-offs between flexibility and consistency.
For those in the planning and development sectors, staying informed and proactive will be key to making the most of these reforms.
Sheldon Bosley Knight’s head of planning and architecture, Natasha Blackmore da Silva said: “The 2024 NPPF revisions do appear to represent a significant shift in the planning system, prioritising environmental sustainability, housing delivery, and infrastructure alignment.
“Whilst I support these changes and their aim to address pressing challenges, their success will depend on effective implementation and collaboration across the sector. Something that has been lacking in recent years.”
If you need further insights or advice on how the NPPF changes might impact your projects, get in touch with our planning and architecture team today on 01789 387880.
