Seminar on the Localism Bill and NPPF

I attended an interesting seminar on Wednesday 21 September 2011,  on the new Localism Bill and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), at the County Ground in Bristol, presented by Rob Duff of Pegasus Planning Group .  I have in the past read numerous Planning Policy Guidelines (PPG’s), but claim no expertise in the area.  Now we will all have to get to grips with a New Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), albeit in a new condensed format and with fewer prescriptions.  It appears that there are both threats and opportunities to our landscape. 

In brief, Rob’s excellent talk started off with a description of the Bill and new NPPF and what it will do.  It is a wide ranging reform of local government and quite radical, with changes to finance that re-introduce the link between local government finance and housing.   Funding will be become a material consideration in planning applications.

I am not going to repeat Rob’s talk and slide show – you’ll have to contact him for that, but a couple of fellow attendees and I discussed the Bill after the talk and as I understand it, (and I may be wrong – I have more reading to do) the threats to our landscape may be considered the presumption in favour of development with the aim of increasing housing provision and growth (there is a massive waiting list for council housing).  With less prescription and detailed guidance in the framework, it will be up to local government and communities to interpret the Framework.  It seems that so long as the local community are with you, one might be able to promote the development of one’s own assets.   Local communities may be swayed to permit development on greenbelt or agricultural land, leading to expansion and perhaps abandonment of urban centres.

Opportunities exist for local communities and councils to promote development and benefit from community infrastructure levy and new homes bonus – money that could be invested in local parks and infra-structure.  The Bill will also allow give local communities the right to buy local assets such as a pub or swimming pool.   The framework also gives top priority to promote sustainable economic growth, jobs and sustainable development (local plan led).   There is continued protection of AONB, National Parks, wildlife, heritage and biodiversity (in line with European legislation). 

I shall be following the debate in the papers and trade journals, to get a balanced view. In the meantime, I am now off to the Communities and Local Government web address below for the online documents: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/planningpolicyframework/.