Member Article

Budget bolsters National Planning Policy Framework

Whilst the budget failed in many eyes to deliver a much needed kick-start to Britain’s struggling economy, Chancellor Osborne’s announcement that publication is going ahead of the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), could provide light at the end of the tunnel for business, according to Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).

In order to ensure delivery of much needed housing and employment opportunities, we need certainty in the planning system and access to development finance.

With the publication of the NPPF this week, I predict renewed stability, that will in turn kick-start economic growth, as thousands of pages of policy are condensed into a document supportive of sustainable development.

The development industry is a major contributor to the economy but for far too long, development and house building has been perceived in a negative manner by the general public. Establishing a presumption in favour of sustainable development* is a positive step forward, but much work still needs to be done to ensure, that the nature and quantity of information requested by local planning authorities, is proportionate to the development proposed. There is still too much emphasis placed by Councils upon producing voluminous reports, prolonging the decision making progress. The ‘validation process’ has become a tail which is wagging the dog.

The Government is to be applauded for standing firm and publishing the NPPF despite having received vociferous opposition. There will undoubtedly be ongoing debate and different interpretation of the document, however the support of development has to be welcomed.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Moffat .