Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Laura Hargreaves, a seasoned planning consultant, to discuss the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system in England. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is spearheading this consultation, which aims to revise the NPPF in a way that promotes sustainable growth. Here’s a detailed recount of our conversation.
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Kenneth George: Laura, thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. Could you start by giving us a bit of background on these proposed reforms?
Laura Hargreaves: Of course, Kenneth. The proposed reforms focus on revising the NPPF to better support sustainable growth in England’s planning system. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is driving this consultation, which began on 30th July 2024 and will run until 24th September 2024. The objective is to gather feedback on various policy proposals, including increasing planning fees, setting new criteria for local plan interventions, and adjusting thresholds for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
Kenneth George: That’s quite comprehensive. What are some of the key changes being proposed?
Laura Hargreaves: There are several significant changes on the table. Firstly, the government aims to make the standard method for assessing housing needs mandatory. This means local authorities will be required to plan based on these figures, with limited exceptions for hard constraints. Another notable change is the reversal of some of the December 2023 amendments to the NPPF, which were seen as detrimental to housing supply. The government is also looking to broaden the definition of brownfield land and to identify “grey belt” land within the Green Belt to meet development needs.
Kenneth George: It seems like a lot of emphasis is being placed on housing. Can you elaborate on why this is a focal point?
Laura Hargreaves: Absolutely. The government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament. The focus on housing is driven by the need to address chronic undersupply and support economic growth. By making the standard method for housing needs mandatory and revising local plans, the aim is to ensure that sufficient land is allocated for housing. This also includes promoting higher density in urban areas and developing affordable, well-designed homes.
Kenneth George: What about the environmental aspects? How are these reforms addressing sustainability and green initiatives?
Laura Hargreaves: The proposed reforms have a strong focus on sustainability. For instance, there is a push to prioritise brownfield development and to ensure that any development on grey belt land brings substantial public benefits, including affordable housing and green spaces. The government also aims to support clean energy initiatives, such as onshore wind and renewables, through the planning system. This holistic approach is designed to balance the need for housing and economic growth with environmental protection and sustainability.
Kenneth George: What are the potential impacts of these reforms on local planning authorities and communities?
Laura Hargreaves: For local planning authorities, these changes could mean more stringent requirements and increased workloads, especially with the mandatory standard method for housing needs. However, the reforms also propose increasing planning fees to ensure that authorities are well-resourced to manage these demands. For communities, the impact could be substantial, with more affordable housing and improved local infrastructure. However, there might also be concerns about changes to the Green Belt and increased urban density.
Kenneth George: How can individuals and organisations participate in this consultation?
Laura Hargreaves: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has made it easy for individuals and organisations to participate. The preferred method is through the Citizen Space online consultation portal. Responses can also be submitted via email or by post. When responding, it’s important to specify whether the response is from an individual or on behalf of an organisation, and to reference specific questions or paragraphs from the consultation document.
Kenneth George: It sounds like there’s a lot to consider. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of these proposed reforms?
Laura Hargreaves: One of the biggest challenges will likely be balancing the diverse interests of various stakeholders. Local authorities will need to align with the new mandatory housing needs assessments while ensuring that development is sustainable and meets community needs. Additionally, managing the potential pushback from communities regarding changes to the Green Belt and increasing urban density could be difficult. It’s crucial that the consultation process is thorough and inclusive to address these challenges effectively.
Kenneth George: Laura, thank you for this insightful overview. Any final thoughts on the proposed reforms?
Laura Hargreaves: I think these reforms represent a significant step towards addressing some of the longstanding issues in England’s planning system. By focusing on sustainability, affordability, and strategic growth, there’s potential for positive change. However, it will be essential to ensure that the implementation is carefully managed and that all voices are heard during the consultation process.
As the consultation continues, it will be interesting to see how these proposed changes are received by the public and various stakeholders. The outcome could shape the future of planning policy in England, aiming for a balance between growth and sustainability.
Kenneth George
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