The latest update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has a focus on promoting sustainable transport that is welcomed by CIHT but could go further.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
The revised National Planning Policy Framework sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
In the update it is noted that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, something that CIHT has called for.
CIHT submitted evidence to the consultation in March 2023 for the update to the NPPF. In CIHT's response they highlighted the need for better integration of sustainable transport into the NPPF.
The latest NPPF includes the following paragraph (retained from the previous version) that is positive, as stated below:
The planning system should actively manage patterns of growth in support of these objectives. Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions, and improve air quality and public health. However, opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary between urban and rural areas, and this should be taken into account in both plan-making and decision-making.
Although the update does not address a key point that CIHT put forward in their response to the consultation in March, in this CIHT stated:
CIHT would also like to see paragraph 113 (111 current version) of the NPPF changed to reflect the need for carbon reduction, something that the current wording of this paragraph undermines in that only “severe” impacts are accepted as criteria for refusal of planning permission. This change is something that CIHT has repeatedly called for, most recently in ‘Fixing a failing planning and transport system’.
In the updated NPPF it is only stated that development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.
CIHT looks forward to continue to work with government to ensure that further progress is made to ensure that sustainable transport is at the heart of the planning system.
Background to the update
The National Planning Policy Framework was revised in response to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy consultation on 19 December 2023 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
On 5 September 2023 the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued a written ministerial statement to update policy on planning for onshore wind development in England.
This revised Framework replaces the previous National Planning Policy Framework published in March 2012, revised in July 2018, updated in February 2019, revised in July 2021 and updated in September 2023.
The online searchable version of the revised National Planning Policy Framework is also available.
The planning practice guidance to support the framework is published online.
The archived National Planning Policy Framework published in 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021 and September 2023 can be accessed at the following:
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
{{item.AuthorName}} {{item.AuthorName}} says on {{item.DateFormattedString}}: