The revised National Planning Policy Framework: the reaction
Local Government Lawyer gauges the reaction to the revised National Planning Policy Framework.
Colin Haylock, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute
"Overall, the Government has listened to the RTPI and others and the NPPF is a significant improvement on the draft. In particular we welcome the strong emphasis on local decision making to achieve the three aspects of environment and social aspects of sustainable development and to do this through up to date plans. The challenge for all us is to make this work with constrained resources."
David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation
“I couldn’t really believe the hysterical reaction the draft NPPF provoked when it was published last year. After all, it looked to me (and still does) like a realistic and bold attempt to simplify an extremely complex and bureaucratic system. I can’t see anything in it to justify the assertions that it is a planning free for all or a developers’ charter. I see nothing that will lead to our countryside being ravaged or the few remaining pieces of wilderness being turned into Albert Square or Coronation Street. What I see is a clear, plan led system where the presumption in favour of sustainable development only kicks in where there is no local plan…..
“In truth, there have been too many occasions where the new homes have been poor quality, badly designed, inefficient and ugly. That’s why it is so important that the word sustainable is part of the presumption in favour of development.”
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the Town and Country Planning Association
“The NPPF highlights the benefits of planning new settlements or extensions to existing villages and towns that follow the principles of Garden Cities. The Garden City vision combines the very best of town and country living to create healthy homes for working people in vibrant communities. The recognition in the NPPF and the Prime Minister’s statement last week provide a unique opportunity for councils to plan for new settlements which enhance the environment, provide high quality affordable housing and locally accessible jobs…..
“The inclusion of the 2005 UK Sustainable Development Strategy to the definition of sustainable development ensures that local authorities and communities have the opportunity to deliver socially and environmentally just outcomes as well as promote economic development through the planning system.”
Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation
“The proposals are sensible and will balance a community’s housing needs against environmental and other considerations. We now need to see the system implemented quickly so we can start to tackle the country’s acute housing crisis.
“The new system transfers power to local authorities for development in their areas. With power comes responsibility and local authorities need to demonstrate they are meeting their communities housing needs. Government also needs to keep a close eye on its radical new system to ensure it helps meet the country’s needs.”
Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
“We were very reassured that Greg Clark recognised the intrinsic value of the ordinary countryside 'whether specifically designated or not' and stated that the five principles of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy are included in the document. These were critical issues for CPRE. We are pleased the Minister appears to have listened to the strong public views, which mirrored our concerns.
“We now need to carry out a thorough analysis of the final document. While recognising the scale of the housing crisis, we remain very concerned to ensure that the Planning Framework does not place undue emphasis on short-term economic growth at the expense of other important long term, public interest objectives of planning, including the protection and enhancement of the environment.
“We are also concerned about the length of the transition period, which at 12 months will pose serious challenges to many local authorities. We hope these councils will be given adequate support to get their plans in place. This will be critical if local people are to have a real voice in planning decisions.”
John Cridland, CBI Director-General
“Future generations will be thankful that the Government has held its nerve on this. Having a presumption in favour of sustainable development gets the balance right between supporting jobs and growth, and serving the interests of the environment and society.
“The new framework hands the responsibility back to local communities to decide where new homes, businesses and infrastructure to support them should be built. So the onus is on local authorities to work with people and businesses in their area to develop suitable plans as quickly as possible.
“Let’s be clear, this is not an invitation to concrete over Britain, as some would have us believe. For too long, our planning regime acted as a drag on growth, and this framework lets people decide the future for themselves.”
Craig Bennett, Policy and Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth
"Including a strong definition of sustainable development in the new planning guidelines is an important step forward, but this is undermined by confusing and contradictory information in the rest of the document.
"Ministers must make it crystal clear that the new planning system will encourage the low-carbon infrastructure and affordable homes our nation needs - and prevent poor quality developments that waste water and increases our reliance on expensive fossil fuels.
"But the devil is in the detail - Friends of the Earth legal experts will be watching closely to ensure local people, future generations and our wildlife are properly protected."
