NPPF & Government Policy

Introduction

The new NPPF has now at last ( December 2023) been published. It sets out the Government’s policies which Local Planning Authorities are expected to take into account when preparing their Local Development Plans.

In addition, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act has now been passed. Many of its provisions remain to be brought into force by Ministerial action, but there are several provisions which merit attention.

The Government has also pronounced on other proposals for the future of Planning including making more money available to Local Planning Authorities, and threatening 7 LPAS whose Plans are woefully out of date.

But how much of a difference will all this make to England's creaking housing stock and infrastructure?

This virtual classroom seminar will enable you to better understand the impact of the NPPF and the proposed reforms together with the impact of the requirement for beautiful developments. It is aimed at those property practitioners who want a focused, up to date assessment of the key parts of Government policy, both in place and proposed, which will impact on Developers and Local Planning Authorities alike.

The new Government has swiftly announced major changes to planning policy and law.

A completely revised NPPF has been issued for consultation with only an 8 week period for consultation. Major changes proposed are:

• Housing targets being mandatory not advisory
• New “Grey Belt“ land which can be developed in the Green belt
• Housing numbers increased for some Authorities by 100%
• All references to beauty deleted and good design emphasized
• Proposal for Planning fees to be increased
• Planning and Infrastructure Bill and English Devolution Bill to be placed before Parliament

These matters will all be considered in this seminar.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• How Delivery of housing will be impacted by the withdrawal of the need to have a 5 year supply of housing in an up to date plan
• How the Green Belt will be protected
• Limitations on Article 4 Directions
• How design is to be improved
• How the watering down of the tilted balance will impact
• How watering down the ‘Soundness’ test might impact
• How increased protection of agricultural land will impact on land availability
• How proposed sanctions on developers for not building out might work
• Further proposed reforms and what still needs to be done

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.