The Government has recently unveiled a consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, marking one of the most significant overhauls to the planning system in years.

These changes are set to have far-reaching impacts on how our communities grow, develop, and thrive in the years ahead.

Why this planning policy consultation matters

The proposed changes are some of the most significant in recent years and are aimed at supporting the Government’s wider objectives “to achieve sustainable growth in our planning system” and “to achieve economic growth and build 1.5 million new homes”.

It covers most of the planning system  – some of the key proposals include:

• Reinstatement of mandatory housing targets including at the local authority level.
• Local authorities must meet “an area’s identified housing need”.
• Local authorities should undertake a green belt review where they are unable to meet housing, commercial or other needs without altering green belt boundaries.
• Introduces the concept of the grey belt in the Green Belt.
• Rather than district-wide design coding, proposes the focus should be on the preparation of localised design codes, masterplans and guides “for areas of most change and most potential”
• Making it easier to build on brownfield sites.
• Strengthen strategic planning and cross-border working.
• A focus on the provision of more affordable housing, in particular for social rent
• Support economic growth including that local authorities should identify appropriate sites for commercial development “which meet the needs of a modern economy”.
• Support for renewable and low carbon energy generation, including onshore wind & renewable and low carbon energy.
• Will not be implementing the Infrastructure Levy that would have replaced Section 106 Agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy.
• Increases in some planning fees.
• Local authorities that fail to produce local plans quickly enough may face sanctions.

For councils, these changes are not just technical adjustments—they will directly affect the ability to meet local housing needs, manage growth sustainably, and protect the character of communities. From the way housing targets are set to the potential easing of restrictions on green belt land, the implications for local planning and development are profound. This consultation is a chance to ensure that the voices of your communities are heard and that local needs and priorities are considered in the final policy

A copy of the consultation document can be found here, alongside a Written Ministerial Statement and a track-changed draft text of the new NPPF. The consultation closes at 11.45 pm on 24 September 2024.

Join us at our Connect Event

As the Government’s consultation draws to a close on 24 September, we are hosting a Connect Event on 5 September designed to help councils navigate these proposed changes and craft informed responses. Here’s why attending this event is essential:

1. Understand the scope and impact: The event will break down the key proposals and what they mean. With such sweeping changes on the table, it’s vital that councils explore the implications for their communities.
2. Stay updated on the latest developments: Planning consultant Andrew Towlerton, an expert in navigating the complexities of the planning system, will provide the latest insights. This is your chance to get the most up-to-date information and guidance.
3. Shape your council’s response: The event will support you in formulating your council’s response to the consultation. Ensuring that your council’s views are effectively communicated can influence how these reforms are finalised.
4. Contribute to a collective voice: The event will also help shape the collective response via NALC, reflecting the shared concerns and priorities of councils across the country. Your input will strengthen the overall advocacy for our sector.

Cara Stobart, our County Officer, emphasises, “We’re at an important moment for local planning, and this Connect Event (and consultation) is an opportunity for parish and town councils to have their voices heard. These proposed reforms will shape our communities for years to come, so it’s important that we come together to understand the changes and advocate for what’s best in our areas.”

Don’t miss the opportunity

This Connect Event is more than just an information session—it’s an opportunity for councils to come together and share their perspectives on the proposals, and help influence the future of planning policy in our country. Your participation is crucial in ensuring that local perspectives are front and center in this consultation.

Join us, contribute to the conversation, and support your council to navigate and respond to these  planning reforms.

We look forward to your participation in what promises to be a highly informative and collaborative session.Book your place on our Connect Event

Additional information

• Read the consultation
• Book onto our Connect Event

Pre-application consultations are now common practice as a way for developers to collaborate with parish councils to resolve potential issues.

The Localism Act 2011, and the National Planning Policy Framework, both recommend pre-application discussions and they can have enormous value in engaging developers and allowing issues to be resolved at an early stage. It might also help ensure greater community benefit from any development that might happen. While parish and town councils can engage in these conversations, they will want to keep an open mind and follow some guidelines to avoid the risk of challenge.

Organising the meeting

Any pre-application meetings will need to be agreed by the council, and ideally the decision to hold the meeting will be recorded in the minutes for transparency. The clerk, or another officer, can then make arrangements for the meeting.  Ideally, the meeting will form part of the parish council meeting where members of the public can attend. Another alternative might be hold the meeting before or after a scheduled meeting of the council. Either way, it would be sensible to have the meeting in a public venue.

We’d suggest agreeing the format of the meeting in advance, including how long it might take. A typical format might be a presentation by the developer, followed by a Q&A session. If members of the public will be present, you may want to establish whether they will be able to ask questions or whether it will be restricted to councillors.

At the meeting

Ideally, the clerk or another officer will be present at the meeting as an impartial officer who can offer guidance if needed. The meeting can be chaired by a councillor, who can start by setting out any house rules including explaining the role of councillors at the meeting and reminding councillors of the rules around predetermination (legal topic note 81, available on this page) and the Code of Conduct.

Make it clear to everyone in attendance that the purpose of the meeting is to learn more about the proposal and its implications. It is not a time for the council to form a view or make a decision; remember, no individual councillor can make a decision on behalf of the council and any decisions need to be made in a properly convened meeting. If any view or opinion is expressed, this does not bind the council to make that decision. It’s worth remembering that sometimes silence or ‘no comment’ can be viewed as support, so you may want to stress that any  lack of comments does not equal implicit support for the proposal.

After the meeting

Written notes of the meeting will be helpful, although depending on the circumstances, a degree of confidentiality may be needed. Notes can be written by the clerk or staff who were in attendance at the meeting since they are an impartial officer. Notes can aid transparency, especially with a view to public perception.

Transparency is key!

Members of the public may be concerned about the council meeting with developers, especially if this is perceived to be behind closed doors; it can give rise to concerns about deals being made or unpopular developments being supported. Consider this during the process of planning meetings so you can help avoid any obvious concerns that people may have. Avoid accepting any hospitality or gifts from developers!

Community led planning is a consultation exercise and opportunity for a community to consider their concerns and interests.

The Community Led Planning process is a grass-roots initiative comprised of a community consultation exercise. It can bring the community together by realising joint aspirations for the area and working together to achieve that through the planning system. It is a unique opportunity for a community to looks at its own concerns and interests through a structured consultation process that is driven and carried out by the community itself.

The process might help form a parish plan, a neighbourhood plan or a community/village design statement which can lay out the issues raised and the desired outcomes that have been revealed by the consultation process. This can then feature in your responses to planning applications as your plan will identify what the community feels is best for them, and what is a priority in development.

Community led plans can also help you identify the resources and skills available in the community; there’s a wide range of untapped potential in all communities. Sometimes people who do not otherwise engage with the local council might want to get involved with the process to help the community take control of the area.

If you would like more information about embarking on a community led plan, you could try contacting Devon Communities Together or ACRE.