ADEPT response to NPPF amendments
Sarah McLaughlin, ADEPT Planning Lead, said: "ADEPT is currently undertaking a detailed review of the published framework. ADEPT is pleased to note that several of the recommendations set out in our March 2026 consultation response have been reflected in the August 2026 NPPF, including those regarding spatial planning, design and the integration of infrastructure.
"ADEPT supports keeping the National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) non-statutory, as this gives the flexibility needed to respond to planning challenges. We would oppose any future move to change this.
"However, some areas of the NPPF remain overly prescriptive and we have concerns about the lack of flexibility in determining local standards. On energy efficiency, for example, local authorities should be free to set higher local standards, where this supports their ambitions to reduce carbon emissions.
“We are also disappointed that local scope to set higher standards for Biodiversity Net Gain is restricted.”
