Government publishes new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

On Monday 17 August, the Government published the new National Planning Policy Framework. This sets out the government’s policies for plan-making and for making decisions on development proposals in England, and how these are expected to be applied.

More information can be found on the National Planning Policy Framework page.

Before you dive in, here are twelve things local councils should know about the new NPPF:

  1. It only affects England.
  2. It follows the draft that went out for consultation in December 2025, and the consultation that closed in March 2026.
  3. It is important.  The NPPF is the key land use planning document.  Its primary purpose is to provide a clear set of policies for making decisions on planning applications for local planning authorities and others to follow when preparing development plans and other planning documents, including neighbourhood plans.
  4. It represents the biggest rewrite of planning rules in a decade, if not longer.
  5. Most of the measures it contains take immediate affect.
  6. Many of the proposals are high level and strategic.
  7. The changes are intended to unlock thousands of new homes, support economic growth and help more people live closer to jobs, schools and services.
  8. The changes are also intended to speed up planning decisions and make them more certain.
  9. Some of the key changes are that planning policies that have been traditionally set at the local level will now be set nationally.
  10. A key test is whether a proposal is inside or outside the built-up area. Inside the built-up area, a proposal should be approved unless the benefits of doing so would be substantially outweighed by adverse effects. Outside a built-up area, only certain kinds of development are allowed at all.
  11. The SLCC will be preparing more detailed guidance and advice on the NPPF and its implications for local councils including through an article in the next edition of The Clerk and a series of webinars:
  12. A copy of the revised NPPF and supporting information can be found at Creating a clear, rules-based planning system – GOV.UK