The revised National Planning Policy Framework pledges to build attractive and better-designed homes in areas where they are needed most
The new rules published by Secretary of State James Brokenshire will also make it easier for councils to challenge poor quality and unattractive development, and give communities greater powers about how developments should look and feel.
Following a public consultation launched by PM Theresa May earlier this year, the new National Planning Policy Framework provides a comprehensive approach for planners, developers and councils to build more homes, more quickly and in the places where people want to live.
The new rule book will focus on:
- promoting high-quality design of new homes and places
- stronger protection for the environment
- building the right number of homes in the right places
- greater responsibility and accountability for housing delivery from councils and developers.
Brokenshire said: “Fundamental to building the homes our country needs is ensuring that our planning system is fit for the future.
“This revised planning framework sets out our vision of a planning system that delivers the homes we need. I am clear that quantity must never compromise the quality of what is built, and this is reflected in the new rules.
“We have listened to the tens of thousands of people who told us their views, making this a shared strategy for development in England.”
Ministers have been clear on their ambition to achieve 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, which follows 217,000 homes built last year, the biggest increase in housing supply in England for almost a decade.
The new rules will see 85 of the proposals set out in the housing white paper and the Budget, implemented in the new National Planning Policy Framework.
Promoting high-quality design of new homes and places
Refocusing on the quality and design of proposals which are in line with what local communities want, the framework ensures councils have the confidence and tools to refuse permission for development that does not prioritise design quality and does not match its surroundings.
With an emphasis on engaging with communities and allowing residents to see proposed development before it’s even built, the revised framework encourages councils to make use of innovative new visual tools to promote better design and quality, which will also make sure new homes fit in with their surroundings.
Approved neighbourhood plans will establish clear local leadership in design quality, with the framework allowing groups seeking such plans to truly reflect the community’s expectations on how new development will visually contribute to their area.
Whilst the framework sets the strategic direction for driving up new build quality, it will remain up to councils to apply these policies in the most appropriate way in their area.
To maximise the use of land the government are promoting more effective use of the land available and giving councils more confidence to refuse applications that don’t provide enough homes.
Stronger protection for the environment
The National Planning Policy Framework has also been updated to provide further protection for biodiversity; ensuring wildlife thrives at the same time as addressing the need for new homes.
Changes to the framework see the planning system align more closely with Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which aims to leave the environment in a better state for future generations. This includes more protection for habitats, and places greater importance on air quality when deciding development proposals.
It provides strengthened protection for ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees across England.
The government has more explicitly outlined the protection of the Green Belt in England, explaining the high expectations and considerable evidence that would be needed to alter any boundary.
Building the right number of homes in the right places
To help tackle unaffordable house prices in many areas across the country, the framework outlines a new approach for councils to calculate the housing need of their local community.
This new method aims to deliver more homes in the places where they are most needed, based on factors including the affordability of existing homes for people on lower and medium incomes.
Greater responsibility for housing from councils and developers
From November 2018 councils will have a Housing Delivery Test focused on driving up the numbers of homes actually delivered in their area, rather than how many are planned for.
Furthermore, to make sure that the necessary infrastructure and affordable housing is delivered to support communities, clearer guidance for both developers and councils will also be published.
Meaning that developers will know what is expected of them up front, even before they submit a planning application and councils have greater authority to hold them to these commitments.
