Planning the Unknown

After much speculation the coalition governments  long awaited draft national planning policy framework (NPPF) was released this week.


The document has come in for a wide range of criticism from many sources, notably that it will encourage reckless sprawl and a resurgence of out of town retail and office developments. While concerns also exist over vague wording which some experts warn could result in developers taking advantage of the system . This  perhaps forgetting that this is only a draft document in a plan led system with local plans the starting point in the determination of any planning application.


The document through the core planning principles listed on page 5 expands upon the values of sustainable development engrained during the previous administration, although it is in parts vague this could be a blessing as local authorities (and planners) are given greater power to draw up the future of there own districts, with considerably less top-down restrictions.


The document is simple, but it also promotes many of the core planning values which have emerged over the last 10 years, notably creating mixed use communities, encouraging good design responding to local character and supporting a low carbon economy.


This document represents a major shift in UK planning policy replacing almost 1000 words of policy with just 50 and it will be at least another 5-10 years before any sound judgement upon the effects of this shift can be made.


Consultation of the document ends in October.