The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) President has commented on the draft National Planning Policy Framework published yesterday by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for consultation. It represents the most significant re-drafting of planning rules in over a decade.
On the draft National Planning Policy Framework
CLA President Gavin Lane said:
“Under our Rural Powerhouse campaign we have been working closely with government to show planning reform can unlock the vast economic potential of the rural economy. Ministers within MHCLG and Defra should be praised for listening. This National Planning Policy Framework consultation represents a positive step forward for rural areas and, once enacted, these policies will boost growth in the countryside.
“The consultation acknowledges the unique challenges faced by rural communities and includes new policies on management of flood risk, energy and water. Now we need planning officers to have better access to training on rural issues and agricultural matters to ensure these reforms deliver for the countryside.”
On Biodiversity Net Gain
“Exempting the smallest sites from BNG while the planning system is being reformed could help unlock many developments that are currently stuck in the system, and supports the CLA’s call for a small number of homes to be built in a large number of villages to help keep rural communities sustainable.
“The NPPF consultation also proposes a new medium-size threshold for planning applications of 10 – 49 houses. Exempting sites up to 49 houses from BNG requirements could kill an emerging off-site market that is funding landowners and managers to do vital work on nature recovery and raising the bar on nature-rich housing development. If the natural capital market is hollowed out, England won’t be able to deliver on the Environmental Improvement Plan and meet the government’s own nature targets.”
