The Government has launched its draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), tearing up over 1000 pages of national guidance and replacing it with only 52.

Vital to maximising asset value, the planning system regulates the use and development of property. The draft NPPF approaches this from a grass roots level, intended to deliver a system that is positive, proactive, simple and free from bureaucratic barriers.

Key changes include:

● A presumption in favour of sustainable development – making the default answer ‘yes’;

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● Changes to the plan making system – giving an increased role to local stakeholders;

● A commitment to increased housing delivery – with a requirement to identify more land;

● A more flexible approach to the Green Belt, renewables and the historic environment.

These changes create a range of new opportunities and risks, such as through a move towards neighbourhood planning which is set to re-focus the way developers and landholders engage with the local community. The shift will enable local people to play a key role in delivering developments they support and preventing other schemes from coming forward. As a result, involvement in the planning process at an early stage will become increasingly important to securing a favourable outcome for all parties.

The Government welcome comments on the draft NPPF until 17 October 2011 and this therefore presents a rare opportunity for all landowners and developers to secure wide ranging policy gains.

(GK)