Is the NPFF undermining confidence in the planning system, asks Perran Moon
The requirement to streamline planning has been high on the government’s agenda. The Localism Act came into play over two years ago, with the intention of simplifying planning, ensuring that decisions about housing are taken locally. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF) sought to increase the supply of new homes and create a framework for local people, together with “accountable councils”, to shape their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans.
Risk associated to planning
Two years in and there are concerns that in fact, the NPPF is undermining confidence in the planning system. With “a presumption in favour of sustainable development” acting as a “golden thread” that runs through plan-making and decision-taking at its core, it can be argued that the NPPF has led to councils being forced to approve ad-hoc planning applications. This in turn has led to uncoordinated, reactive infrastructure and inconsistent approval criteria.
The situation means that there is an increasing risk associated with property purchases in England and Wales. For the homebuyer the focus is to secure the purchase of
