Revised National Planning Policy Framework?

On Wednesday 8 July 2022, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove announced that a revised National Planning Policy Framework will be published in July. This was a bit of a surprise announcement which generated much discussion within the planning and development sector.

His announcement was made in response to Green MP Caroline Lucas questioning why a net-zero test was not included in the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill, which was being discussed at the time, and is something she believes should be applied to all planning decisions, policies and procedures.

In his response, Michael Gove explained that "the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that will be published in July will say significantly more about how we can drive improved environmental outcomes".

However, it would seem that despite this clear announcement, a new National Planning Policy Framework is not in fact imminent, but rather a prospectus setting out how the Government intend to change national planning policy will be published in July. Whilst this document is likely to say significantly more about how we can drive improved environmental outcomes, there will be no immediate change to National Planning Policy.

As such, the timescales for the publication of a revised National Planning Policy framework remain unclear, but we are eagerly awaiting publication of the prospectus setting out the Government's planned changes. 

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