Bell Cornwell LLP Planning Consultants’ Post

The government has unveiled a major overhaul of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), aimed at tackling the housing crisis. Key changes include the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets, a focus on Green Belt reviews, and a requirement for local authorities to update their housing land supply. With the goal of building 1.5 million homes during this Parliament, councils have 12 weeks to ensure their plans are in line with the new framework. Deputy PM Angela Rayner emphasises the government’s commitment to fixing the broken planning system and delivering much-needed homes. Read the full story here 👉👉https://lnkd.in/eB5k49nH #NPPF #NationalPlanningPolicyFramework #housingcrisis #property #propertymarket

It is interesting to see how different local planning authorities are responding to the proposed changes to the NPPF, particularly the transitional arrangements for the purposes of plan-making. Last week, St Albans (whose adopted plan dates to 1994) announced that they would be accelerating their Local Plan timetable to undertake a Reg. 19 consultation in September, with a view to submitting a plan for examination in December (as opposed to March 2025). Under the changes, their annual local housing need figure would increase by 75% to 1,544dpa so finding additional sites would inevitably cause significant delays. If the plan is found sound, the Council will be expected to commence plan-making in the new plan-making system at the earliest opportunity to address the shortfall in housing need.

Canterbury City Council has published a new Local Development Scheme (Sept 2024) which essentially pushes the Local Plan timetable back by a year as a result of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation which has removed the 25 June 2025 deadline for the Local Plan to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (previously the Council was expecting to submit the LP to PINS in February 2025). The Committee Report that went to Cabinet last week suggests the following timeframe: 📍 December 2024 – the Government publishes its new NPPF and Planning Policy Guidance. 📍 May 2025 – LHN figures released. 📍 Autumn 2025 – publication of the council’s final draft for approval by councillors and the launch of a six-week consultation under Regulation 19. 📍 Spring 2026 – subject to the decision above, submission to the Secretary of State. Read online: https://lnkd.in/eRxEeFmS #planning #planners #nationalplanning #canterbury #planningpolicy #localplan

🚨 Oxford's Draft Local Plan Comes Under Fire  🚧 Oxford’s Draft Local Plan 2040 has just been dealt a significant blow. The Planning Inspectorate has advised the withdrawal of Oxford’s Draft Local Plan 2040 citing concerns over the city’s inflated housing target of 1,322 new homes annually 🏘️ - far exceeding the Inspectorate’s recommendation of 762 homes per year. But that’s not all. The Inspectorate also found that Oxford City Council had not fully met its 'duty to cooperate' 🤝 with neighbouring districts during the plan’s preparation. Curious to know more? 🔍 Read our latest blog to dive deep into why this plan is under scrutiny and how the council is pushing back. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekBbiEx8 #OxfordHousingCrisis #PlanningUpdate #UrbanGrowth #LocalPlan #HousingNeeds #Oxford #CityPlanning #PlanningInspectorate

The papers for Chelmsford's Reg 19 plan are out - the council plans to begin its consultation in early February on the Local Plan Review. In order to meet the transitional arrangements under the new NPPF, the council has reallocated the large majority of its previously-proposed 20% buffer to directly address housing need requirements. The supply buffer in the Reg 19 plan is now just 1.5%. #ukhousing #planning More details here: https://lnkd.in/ebjcwSw9

*St Albans Local Plan* St Albans City and District Council has submitted its local plan for examination to the Planning Inspectorate. The previous draft plan was withdrawn in 2020 after planning inspectors indicated there was "a very strong likelihood" it would either be removed from examination or face a recommendation against adoption due to failing to meet the duty to cooperate. With the current plan dating back to 1994, it’s time for an update! The examination period has commenced and will run until February 2026. The Council expects to adopt the Local Plan in March 2026. #StAlbans #LocalPlanUpdate #PlanningExamination #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDevelopment #SustainablePlanning

In our latest Planning Speed Read, Partner Kamran Hyder discusses the planning reform, with a focus on Section 106 Agreements, along with brief updates on: ◾ Updated guidance in relation to planning appeals by the Planning Inspectorate. ◾ The Revised NPPF may be delayed until 2025. ◾ At appeal, the Secretary of State has approved a part green belt site. ◾ The number of homes permitted by and applications submitted to councils in the past year are at the lowest in over a decade. ◾ The RTPI states a clear plan is needed to assist local authorities to deliver 'impractical' housing targets. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/d5bD3Gmc #Planning #Section106 #BuiltEnvironment

Responding to today's announcements on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), RTPI has backed the government’s decision to allocate additional resources to enhance the planning system. The announcement by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government outlines updates to planning policy, including new housing targets, revisions to greenbelt policy and additional funding for local planning authorities. Read the full response 👇 https://lnkd.in/ewE-PRhx #NPPF #PlanningReform #Housing

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) restores the requirement for local planning authorities to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites plus an additional five per cent buffer, but tightens the duty for councils falling too far short of their new housing need target…

One of the most talked-about updates in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is the proposed Standard Method for determining Local Housing Need. This method will be fundamental to creating Local Plans. When applied across the country, this updated method results in a need for 371,541 dwellings each year. This figure represents a 21% increase compared to the previous calculation method. Consequently, more than 75% of local planning authorities (LPAs) will need to plan for more housing than they currently are. See more: