CPRE Sussex, March 2013

Futureproofing: the National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Neil Sinden, Policy and

Campaigns Director, CPRE

Futureproofing: the National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

• land use planning system is key tool for ‘futureproofing’

• recent changes to planning law on policy

• CPRE’s campaign to influence these

• identify some of the improvements we helped secure

• focus on some key issues

• outline the findings and recommendations of a recent CPRE report

• introduce a new campaign we will be launching next week

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

The Localism Act 2011

• Infrastructure Planning Commission abolished

• new procedures for National Policy Statements

• Regional Spatial Strategies abolished

• new duty to cooperate

• non-binding Inspectors’ reports

The Localism Act 2011

• Neighbourhood Plans and Community Right to Build

• Community Infrastructure Levy

• new Homes Bonus

• planning Enforcement Orders

• new powers to deal with unauthorised advertisements

(no community right of appeal)

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

The National Planning Policy Framework:CPRE’s key asks

• recognise the value of the wider countryside

• retain the ‘brownfield first’ policy

• take a better approach to sustainable development

• reinforce the plan-led system; and

• promote affordable housing delivery

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

The NPPF campaign

• feeding the media with stories

• cooperating with National Trust

• reaching out to unusual partners

• leading Wildlife and Countryside Link’s work on the issue

• surveying local authority views

• researching brownfield and wider countryside issues

• specific projects with RSPB and NT

• working with MPs and Peers

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

The final NPPF: significant improvements

• better definition of sustainable development

• core principles recognise:

- intrinsic character and beauty of countryside;- need to use brownfield land; and- transport and land use integration

•stronger policies on town centre vitality

•Green Belt policy largely intact

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Sustainable Development: the golden thread or missing link?

• the wrong starting point

• seek integration not balance

• benefits of planning undervalued

• non-market values of land

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Sustainable Development: improvements in the NPPF

• reference to UK Sustainable Development Strategy and environmental limits

• greater emphasis on integrating social, economic and environmental objectives

• reframed presumption in favour of sustainable development

• good approach to plan-making: avoid, minimise, mitigate, compensate (para.152)

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Protecting the countryside and green spaces: what difference will the NPPF make?

• local green space designation untested

• wider countryside, not just designated areas

• housing land supply requirements – deliverability and viability

• pressure on the Green Belt

• sporadic rural development

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Brownfield regeneration: ‘smart growth’or Garden Cities?

• reuse of previously developed land has been a big success

• will local brownfield/density targets be enough?

• design and density should go together

• low density, dispersed development is unsustainable

• more to be done – will Garden Cities help?

Countryside Promises, Planning Realities

• transitional period of 12 months insufficient

• plan-led system is being undermined

• valuable areas of countryside being lost to development

• five year ‘deliverable’ land supply requirement leading to more greenfield development

• role of neighbourhood plans less important than anticipated

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Recommendations

• More Government support for getting local plans in place

• Planning guidance to address areas of confusion and weakness

• Longer term, improve policy by:

• a new approach to sustainable development

• new measures to promote urban regeneration

• stronger protections for the countryside

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

National Planning Policy Framework – one year on

Save our Countryside:how you can help

• briefing materials for branches/local groups

• use evidence to resist inappropriate devpt

• write to local MPs and ask them to raise concerns with the Planning Minister

• provide evidence of damaging decisions

• write to local newspapers

• encourage local authorities to get plans in place