2. 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
3. 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
National Planning Policy Framework – one year on
4. 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
5. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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?
National Planning Policy Framework – one year on
16. 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
18. 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
19. 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
National Planning Policy Framework – one year on
Notas do Editor
Imp not to forget amid the furore which surrounded the NPPF over the last year that the Localism Act introduces some fundamental changes to planning legislation This slide identifies some of the key changes – but there are others including removing Inspectors powers to rewrite local plans Many of these changes CPRE supported but one key element we pushed for – CRA - was not finally adopted despite pre-election Manifesto commitments by both coalition parties Also Local Enterprise Partnerships – introduced in 2011 following abolition of RSS and problematic: democratic deficit and influence on planning
But of course most controversy surrounded the accompanying NPPF. Substantial input before draft NPPF published in July last year. CPRE had a wide range of concerns about the draft NPPF - Boiled these down into 5 key asks – most of which as we shall see were addressed in the final version published in March As well as a detailed, 60 page submission, we called for the final NPPF to: recognise the intrinsic value of the wider countryside and give better protection to designated areas retain the ‘brownfield first’ policy to ensure previously developed land is used before greenfield sites define sustainable development so that environmental limits are respected and economic considerations are not given primacy reinforce the plan-led system , including through effective transitional arrangements, and promote the delivery of affordable housing in appropriate locations to meet identified needs. Mention media campaign??? Local lobbying/SC inquiries etc
In particular, we saw these improvements:
Sustainable development – a key issue Research found that, in summary: ‘ proposed reforms are likely to have little or no effect on growth and could even undermine public wellbeing’
Research found that: ‘ 55 per cent of England’s countryside could be at increased risk from development’
Research found that: ‘ More brownfield land is available and suitable for residential development – Enough for nearly 1.5 million new dwellings – than in 2001’
So, to summarise, what are the key challenges moving forward? Up to date plans – 50% LPAs don’t have them and NT survery found 75% LAs had lost staff from planning department Will duty to cooperate work? Vision for places is key Countryside not just important for its own sake but also to make towns and cities work Above all, public confidence in planning key – opp to participate, local determination etc