What is the National Planning Policy Framework?
The NPPF sets out the UK Government's economic, environmental and social planning policies for England, which apply to the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans and decisions on planning applications. That includes policy on proposals affecting the green belt and the circumstances where development on land could be within the green belt.
Local accountability
Rayner has made clear to local leaders, that it is a moral obligation and professional responsibility, to get enough homes built. All councils will be expected to have an up-to-date, workable local plan within a year.
The UK Government’s planning system overhaul will result in mandatory targets for councils and ensure that every area has a 5-year pipeline of land to be developed. This will include a review of the green belt to identify areas of brownfield and ‘grey belt’ land.
Targeting areas with greatest need
The consultation includes proposals to reform the Standard Method for calculating local housing needs, considering existing stock levels and affordability pressures, to provide a target for new housing delivery.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government believe this approach will lead to a more balanced distribution of homes across England and ensure that all areas contribute to meeting the overall housing need.
Using the new method takes the target for England from around 300,000 homes to just over 370,000 homes per year.
Golden rules
Land that is released from the green belt for development will be subject to rules that dictate half of the new homes built must be affordable, there should be better access to green spaces, and infrastructure such as schools and GP surgeries must be in place.
Reversing the decline of social housing
Future government spending on social and affordable homes will be outlined after the next spending review, which it hopes will give the sector confidence to plan.
Councils will also have more flexibility on how they use the receipts from Right to Buy sales to build and buy more social homes.
Representing members
Propertymark will respond to the consultation sharing relevant member insight and research. Please contact [email protected] to add your views and comments.
Propertymark is keen to work closely with the new UK Government to help ensure a balanced mix of housing is delivered across the next parliamentary term and beyond.
We have long called for an enhanced housing strategy to be developed and one that can deliver for generations to come, so it’s positive to hear this will become an integrated ambition moving forward.
Ultimately, the future direction to deliver the 1.5m new homes promised must be driven by robust insight and delivered with precision via close stakeholder engagement.
