The Government today launched the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) was asked by the Government to lead on the consultation among its members after the Prime Minister launched the new draft at an event co-hosted by the Institute in March this year.
Around 200 of our members have given up their time to help make the final framework better, a testament to the passion and vital role planners have in realising the Government’s ambitions.
John Acres, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said:
“The RTPI welcomes the Government’s efforts to tighten definitions and processes in the NPPF, such as the presumption in favour of sustainable development, and are pleased to see a stronger emphasis on place making and design, digital technology and renewed recognition of the role of planning in creating healthy and safe communities. We are also pleased that the original connection to the Climate Change Act 2018 has been reinstated.
“It is good to see that we have helped Government come up with a more implementable small sites policy based on feedback from our members who recognise the need for a greater variety of sites to come forward through the planning system.
“But we must recognise the significant pressure the new NPPF requirements will put on local authority planning teams. It is imperative that chief executives, council leaders and politicians resource planning departments sufficiently, particularly as they will now be held more accountable for delivery under the housing delivery test and are expected to carry out more regular reviews of their plans.
“Our members will be vital to making the most of the new measures in the NPPF to encourage joint plan making and help different parts of the country rise up to the immense economic, social and environmental challenges ahead. The NPPF should support them in their professional ambition to make great places for the benefit of the public, and we look forward to seeing their ambitions realised under the new framework.”