New National Planning Policy Framework: CCN responds
Today the government has published a new and updated National Planning Policy Framework, which will be one of the biggest overhauls to the planning system in a decade.
The County Councils Network has outlined its concerns over many of the proposals in the framework, which dilute local councils' and their communities' voice within the planning system. It will represent a shift from a locally-led, plan-based system towards a more nationally-directed, growth-focused framework.
Whilst some of the network's issues have been taken on board by ministers and extra protections have been put in place for some policies, the CCN still remains concerned that the framework moves towards national, rather than local, decision-making.
Cllr Andrew Husband, Housing and Planning Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:
“County and rural unitary councils recognise the need to drive housebuilding and growth in the right areas, but we are concerned that these ‘one size fits all’ policies will have a detrimental impact on rural areas. Our members believe that the updated National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) will weaken theirs and their local communities' voices and shift the balance of power towards developers, increasing the risk of unsustainable development in locations that lack the necessary infrastructure and services.
“Whilst the government has acknowledged some of our concerns and have suggested some of the policies in the NPPF will not operate in isolation, thereby potentially giving protections to local areas in some instances, it is unclear how this will work in practice.
“Even where a Local Plan is in place, in many instances national policy will override this and mean that councils are unable to refuse development in locations that are not connected to existing settlements, resulting in homes being built in a piecemeal and unplanned way across the countryside. We remain sceptical that the revised document will not undermine this plan-led system. Other policies, such as the presumption of ‘yes’ to developments next to train stations, are suitable for urban areas but could permanently and dramatically change the character of a village.
“In tandem, the disproportionally high housing targets in county areas and lack of checks for developers will only encourage more development, with local people unable to have a meaningful say. We will be analysing these policies in the coming days in further detail and we will be engaging with ministers to express our members’ concerns.”
