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A new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

18 December 2025

More Major Changes.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is the foundation set of rules and policies that guide the planning process in England.  The government has published for consultation a major set of changes, and other changes to the planning system

The NPPF had an update in December 2024 to support the government’s desire to see more dwellings being built. The 2024 changes focused on “the restoration and raising of mandatory housing targets, greater support for social and affordable housing provision, a strengthened brownfield-first approach to development, and modernisation of the way the Green Belt works”.

 The government is now proposing “a fuller and more definitive update of national planning policy”.  This is intended to achieve three principal objectives, namely to:

  • Ensure national planning policy is accessible and understandable
  • Establish a comprehensive suite of national policies on general planning matters which will apply across the country
  • Make the policy which it contains more ‘rules-based’ and certain

The key policy changes are:

  1. A permanent presumption in favour of suitably located development.
  2. Building homes around stations.
  3. Driving urban and suburban densification
  4. Securing a diverse mix of homes.
  5. Supporting small and medium sites.
  6. Streamlining local standards.
  7. Boosting local and regional economies.
  8. Supporting critical and growth minerals.
  9. Embedding a vision-led approach to transport.
  10. Better addressing climate change.
  11. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment.
  12. Taking a more positive approach to the use of heritage assets.

See page 15 of the Consultation Document for a fuller description of the 12 changes.

The consultation runs until the 10th March.

Attached below is a Consultation Document, and the Draft NPPF.

Is the Planning System the Problem?

The Planning System is always mentioned as a blocker to achieving government housing and growth targets.  It is clear that the Planning System has unsatisfactory elements and does need change.  The government appears unwilling to address other issues e.g. the large number of vacant properties which could be returned to use (the tax regime doesn’t help), funding infrastructure development to unlock sustainable sites, and ensuring the country has the building and development skills required.  The government is in danger of removing a cork from from a champagne bottle only to find the contents lack any fizz!

The Guildford Society will respond to the consultation early next year.

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