April news
Somerset Councillor for Frome North (Lib Dem) Learn more
by adamboyden on 4 April, 2012
ALDC Briefing:
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been published [on Tuesday 27 March 2012], with significant amendments negotiated by the Liberal Democrats in Government since the Draft NPPF was released for consultation last July.
Here, we outline some of the major changes made to the NPPF since its controversial Draft version:
The controversial default ‘yes to development’ is no longer part of the Framework. This addresses a number of concerns that the NPPF as drafted may have led to a rash of quickly implemented, unsustainable development.
The section on protecting the High Street has been strengthened, with a clear sequential test for retail development. This follows the work of Mary Portas, and her review on the future of High Street retail.
“Core Principles” have been explicitly set out, including (at Lib Dem insistence) an emphasis on the sustainability of potential economic development.
There will also be further flexibility in ‘change of use’ regulations, to reduce the need for commercial new build.
There will be a twelve-month ‘transition period’ for local authorities who do not yet possess an up-todate Local Plan to have one put into place. The Planning Inspectorate will also offer increased support to those authorities updating their Local Plans to fit with the NPPF.
Key messages:
1. Lib Dems have made a Difference
The removal of the default ‘yes’ to development, the emphasis on “Brownfield first”, and the principle of ‘sustainable’ economic development are all the results of Liberal Democrats in Government winning changes from last summer’s Draft NPPF. Many controversial elements of the Framework have now gone. The consultation process, and the Lib Dems, have made a huge different to the outcome of the process.
2. Protecting Local Authorities
The Liberal Democrats won the twelve-month ‘transition period’ for local authorities whose Local Plan was not classed as ‘up to date’ for the purposes of the NPPF. This gives councils additional breathing-space to get their Local Plans into place. In any council area without an up-to-date Local Plan, the NPPF will be a ‘material consideration’ in both planning decisions and the creation of ‘Neighbourhood Plans’. Lib Dems have protected the ability of councils to get their Local Plans in place by winning this crucial transitional period.
3. Simplicity and Localism
The NPPF replaces more than 1,000 pages of Planning policy, with 50 pages. With the Planning changes contained within the Localism Act, central control over the Planning process is being relaxed and local communities, at authority- and neighbourhood-level, are being given more say over developments in their areas. Liberal Democrats want to see development that is sustainable, productive, and responsive to local wishes – our contribution to the NPPF is to fight for a Planning Framework that reflects those key Lib Dem values.
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