HAVING limbered up for a full-scale row about planning, with pledges when in Opposition to 'bulldoze' the planning system and reduce people's right to object to new development, the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) issued by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at the end of July was cleverly positioned. There were fewer amendments to current policy than expected, important words such as 'beauty' were reduced, but not eviscerated, a 'brownfield-first' commitment stands (albeit -crucially without a target) and it retains the commitment to a plan-led system.
However, on closer inspection, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. In a handful of subtle, but devastating amendments, the planning system is to be focused on delivering a constant five-year supply of land for housing, with generous buffers and a new methodology designed to lift numbers. Anywhere such a supply does not exist will have development imposed on it. Previously developed areas of the green belt can be deemed 'grey' and the 'exceptional' reasons that can justify their release will include house building.
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