By David Jones, managing director of Evans Jones 

The first version of the current framework was introduced by the Cameron/ Clegg administration in 2012. Since then, it has been subject to various revisions.

The NPPF is the backbone of the planning system, setting out the framework for planning decisions made by local authorities throughout England.

The Government this week published a long-awaited further revision to the framework.

Revisions to the framework have taken over a year to produce, following initial consultation which closed in December 2022. Michael Gove MP, in his ministerial statement introducing the framework, reiterated the Government's commitment to deliver 300,000 new homes per annum, stating that the reforms will strengthen our ability to meet our target.

Prior to publication, MPs and the press alike suggested that the revised framework would mark the end of nationally derived targets. Some will recall that, during Truss's short tenure, she declared that she would abolish "Stalinist" centrally set housing targets.

Whilst the language has changed, it remains the view of many backbench Conservative MPs that housing targets are a bad thing and impose housing on communities where they are not wanted.

In response to various Government statements, over 60 local authorities withdrew or stalled Local Plan preparation, in the hope that the new framework would allow them to allocate fewer sites for new housing development.

What does the new NPPF seek to deliver?

• Government remains committed to deliver 300,000 homes per annum.

• Local authorities with an up-to-date Adopted Local Plan (less than five years old) which allocated (on adoption) a 5-year housing supply will not be subject to a requirement to review supply.

• Major cities required to provide a 35% uplift on housing land supply (without support from neighbouring planning authorities).

• Enhanced protection afforded to neighbourhood plans (where the plan allocates land for housing).

• Emphasis upon securing well-designed and 'beautiful', attractive and healthy places.

• Enhanced protection for the green belt (removal of the requirement for local authorities to review green belt boundaries).

• A clear overarching requirement for local authorities to prepare up-to-date development plans.

• A clear message to councillors that they should not overturn recommendations to approve application where supported by professional officers.

I would like to add: "The development industry has been speculating upon the proposed changes to the framework since the initial draft was issued last year. In response, some 26,000 consultation responses were submitted. The revised framework has thankfully been diluted in terms of some of the amendments originally tabled.

"Within all of the Gloucestershire authorities, all relevant development plans are out-of-date (older than five years), thus no protection from speculative development is offered where authorities fail to deliver sufficient land for housing.

"The enhanced protection to the green belt is unwelcome, but not surprising. In practice, the slight revision to the wording of green belt policy will make little difference on the ground. The majority of commentators within the development industry accept that well planned development within the green belt is required to deliver housing growth in sustainable locations.

"As with all policies of this type, we will see policy interpretation develop over the coming months as individual cases are determined by appeal inspectors and some come before the courts.

"In summary, the framework will provide some good soundbites for minsters as we approach the next election, however in practice in many parts of England it makes little change and certainly won't deliver upon the re-affirmed objective to deliver 300,000 homes per annum."

For more information, visit https://www.evansjones.co.uk or get in touch via 0800 001 4090.