New National Planning Policy Framework Published

New National Planning Policy Framework Published

The delayed new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was finally published on Monday following the government’s consultation last winter (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework).  This is much more than a routine update.  The Framework has been extensively restructured and introduces separate policies for plan-making and decision-making, alongside important changes affecting housing, neighbourhood plans, development within and outside settlements, infrastructure, Green Belt, transport, climate change, community facilities, and the natural and historic environment.  Some provisions apply immediately to planning decisions, while transitional arrangements determine which version applies to plans already under way.