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National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG)
Policy updates, documents and news relating to National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG).
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NPPG Key Documents
Planning Practice Guidance - Updated guidance on recovery of appeals.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has updated the Planning Practice Guidance website with regard to the recovery of appeals.
NPPG Resources
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Planning Practice Guidance web site (DCLG)
- Policy & Legislation Tracker
The latest planning policy and legislation news & updates including current government consultations and legislation in progress delivered by email.
- Regeneration Lead (Localities) Essex County Council Chelmsford, Essex
- Head of Asset Management – (Heritage/Historic Buildings) Diocese of London Pimlico | London
- Senior Planners Laister Planning Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
- Senior/Principal Planning Officer – Planning Applications Ashford Borough Council Ashford, Kent
- Planning Officer – Development Control Ashford Borough Council Ashford, Kent
NPPG News & Analysis
Ten key things that happened this week
A round-up of the most important news developments this week, including Tory backbench concerns over the Planning Bill set out in this week's Queen's Speech.
Jenrick dismisses 318-home Surrey racecourse redevelopment appeal over green belt harm
The secretary of state has refused plans for the redevelopment of sections of Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey, involving a new hotel and 318 homes, saying it would “substantially” harm the green belt and under-deliver on affordable housing.
NPPF policy on considering green belt 'special circumstances' is 'not a mathematical exercise', High Court rules
The High Court has backed a planning inspector's consideration of the "very special circumstances" necessary to allow inappropriate green belt development in granting permission for a traveller camp, after a judge concluded that the NPPF's policy on the issue is "guidance" and does not require "a particular mathematical exercise".
The planning measures we can expect in next week's Queen's Speech
The announcement of a new planning bill to implement some of the key proposals in last summer’s planning white paper is expected to feature in the Queen's Speech next week, according to reports. However, observers believe the housing ministry will struggle to develop the necessary details so that the bill is ready for publication later this year and are sceptical that the proposed new infrastructure levy will be included in it.
NPPG Policy & Legislation Updates
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The places in which bans on office-to-residential permitted development will be removed
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NPPF - Draft text for consultation
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Local plans that progressed over the summer
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Raising accessibility standards for new homes: A consultation paper
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Flood and coastal erosion risk management Policy Statement
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Planning for the Future
NPPG In Depth & Comment
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Letter: 'Building Better, Building Beautiful' needs genuine community engagement
Getting communities involved in discussions about design codes might help them think of development differently, and about new possibilities for their local area.
Legal Viewpoint: How ruling sheds light on isolated homes and heritage protection policies
The Court of Appeal recently handed down an important judgment considering the application of policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to “isolated homes” in the countryside and on the weighting attributable to heritage assets.
The implications of the government's plan to introduce discounted homes for first-time buyers via unallocated sites
The government has announced its intention to introduce a new form of affordable housing for first-time buyers via exception sites that are not allocated by councils in local plans. Commentators warn that the new policy could raise challenges for local authorities and may impact on provision of other forms of affordable housing on such sites, but there are mixed views about the likely level of developer interest.
The implications of a proposed NPPF tweak requiring councils planning large settlements to think longer term
A tweak to national policy would mean councils proposing large settlements in their local plans to produce 30-year "vision" documents. Practitioners said the move will require local authority plan-makers to provide more detail on how such schemes would be delivered, but said there is uncertainty over how inspectors should assess them.
Policy Briefings
How new PD rights for commercial and public buildings, ports and statues change the system: the Planning Briefing
Planners foresee plenty of interest in the new rights, and councils should be prepared for a flurry of applications in August.
Ten important policy and legislation changes to expect this autumn
Alterations to the National Planning Policy Framework and permitted development rights are among changes on the horizon.
Need to know: New advice for surveyors on viability assessment
What are the main changes in RICS' revised professional guidance on development viability in planning? By Chris Marsh.
