NPPF comes into force with sustainable development presumption in place

The NPPF retains its most controversial element from its earlier consultation draft , a "presumption in favour of sustainable development", but does now incorporate the Brundtland definition of sustainable development stemming from a United Nations report written by Gro Harlem Brundtland in 1987.

The NPPF is designed to simplify the planning system "reducing over a thousand pages of often impenetrable jargon into around 50 pages of clearly written guidance," according to minister for communities Greg Clark.

The NPPF (72-page / 1.3MB PDF) has immediate effect from today  but planning authorities  will have a year from today to enable them to adjust current plans so that they are in "complete conformity" with the NPPF. It also said that authorities may attach weight to emerging local plans..

"The policies contained in this Framework are material considerations which local planning authorities should take into account from the day of its publication," it said. "[Development] plans may, therefore, need to be revised to take into account the policies in this Framework. This should be progressed as quickly as possible, either through a partial review or by preparing a new plan."

"For 12 months from the day of publication, decision-takers may continue to give full weight to relevant policies adopted since 2004 even if there is a limited degree of conflict with this Framework," it said. "In other cases and following this 12-month period, due weight should be given to relevant policies in existing plans according to their degree of consistency with this framework (the closer the policies in the plan to the policies in the Framework, the greater the weight that may be given)."

The final publication follows a lengthy consultation on the draft framework and detailed scrutiny by Parliament.

"The new Framework has been strengthened by the responses to the consultation," said planning minister Greg Clark. "We have confirmed the core reforms, sharpened the definition of the policies, and emphasised the essential balance that the planning system must achieve."

"These reforms will help build the homes the next generation needs, it will let businesses expand and create jobs, and it will conserve what we hold dear in our matchless countryside and the fabric of our history," he said.

The draft NPPF contained a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" which caused controversy, with conservation groups claiming that it would make it more likely that building would take place in the countryside.

The NPPF retains the presumption.

"At the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking," the NPPF said. "For plan-making this means that local planning authorities should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area."

"For decision-taking this means approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out‑of‑date, granting permission unless: any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted," it said.

"There are three dimensions to sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. These dimensions give rise to the need for the planning system to perform a number of roles: an economic role ... a social role ... and an environmental role," it said. "These roles should not be undertaken in isolation, because they are mutually dependent."

"Economic growth can secure higher social and environmental standards, and well-designed buildings and places can improve the lives of people and communities. Therefore, to achieve sustainable development, economic, social and environmental gains should be sought jointly and simultaneously through the planning system. The planning system should play an active role in guiding development to sustainable solutions," it said.