The CLA (Country Land and Business) has commented on government plans that will bring forward a proposed suite of national development management policies (NDMPs) on a non-statutory basis alongside an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) before Christmas.
CLA President Victoria Vyvyan said:
“Rural areas are crying out for a simpler, faster planning system, to enable businesses to diversify and grow, and to provide much-needed housing to improve the sustainability of communities.
“National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) have the potential to help unlock our archaic planning system, but will be a wasted opportunity if they are not statutory.
“Rather than enabling significant planning reform, they simply risk becoming another layer of guidance. The planning system will not speed up – local plans will continue to be delayed and there will be further uncertainty and delay with planning decisions.
“These policies must be statutory to have any impact on not just the rural economy, but the planning system as a whole.”
