Documents

ADEPT submitted its response to the MHCLG consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) w/e 27th September 2024. 

The consultation sought views on the proposed approach to revising the NPPF in order to achieve sustainable growth in the planning system. It was also looking for feedback on a series of wider policy proposals in relation to increasing planning fees, local plan intervention criteria and appropriate thresholds for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. In total there were 106 questions.

We are supportive of a number of the proposals, such as the recognition of the value of strategic planning and made the point that we would like to see the early introduction of the new arrangements to establish some stability in the planning system. Our response also makes clear that we have significant concerns about the new standard method for assessing housing need. We would advocate for an appropriate and robust standard method informed by ONS population projections and demand driven by economic growth plans, rather than an arbitrary supply-side methodology. We also disagreed with the proposal that all local planning authorities should be required to continually demonstrate 5 years of specific, deliverable sites for decision making purposes, regardless of plan status. To see the full response, see here.

MHCLG confirmed it received over 10,000 responses to the consultation and remains committed to announcing the changes before Christmas 2024.