Our response to the (draft) revised National Planning Policy Framework

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a draft revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and announced a 12-week consultation period.

There is lots to welcome in this draft revision to the NPPF, not least a focus on urban densification, a recognition of the importance of rural affordable housing, and welcome support including targets to encourage more SME builders.

However, any brownfield-first approach needs teeth. Brownfield targets are still missing. Our research shows that there is room for at least 1.4 million homes on brownfield sites in England alone.

Our main concern remains the rise of speculative development in the countryside, especially in rural local authorities that have seen a massive increase in their housing targets. Already, every year since 2019, the UK has lost 3,800 acres of countryside on average – equivalent to the footprint of a small city.

We are wary of any automatic green light for development in the countryside, including in the Green Belt where the government’s ill-defined ‘grey belt’ policy isn’t working. Our research shows that the vast majority of new homes approved on ‘grey belt’ sites will be built on unspoilt countryside, not the disused petrol stations and car parks the government promised last year.