Proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi again, lots of updates this week -

a positive addition to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/675abd214cbda57cacd3476e/NPPF-December-2024.pdf 

For any consultation or planning comments in England, I recommend that you reference this paragraph:

Paragraph 187 (d) on page 54 states: "Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:...

incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs;".

If you're interested here is the government's response to the consultation, see Q27 in chapter 5:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system

A reminder that Northern Ireland & Wales don't have any such policy yet, Scotland has guidance but no policy.

All the best,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

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Date: Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 11:51 AM

Subject: Update from GOV.UK for: Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system

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Update from GOV.UK for:

Planning and building

Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system

[Julia Barrell]

Thanks Mike

You're doing great work here.

Just so you know, Wales does have something similar - Planning Policy Wales - https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2024-07/planning-policy-wales-edition-12.pdf

This is statutory guidance - so has to be followed, unless there are compelling reasons why it can't be.

We're up to edition 12 now. Last amended earlier this year to try to provide better protection for SSSIs, on the back of a major planning application to build a train station and a huge business park on the Gwent Levels - an SSSI.

To be decided, probably very soon, by the First Minister.

Regards - Julia, Cardiff

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Subject: [SLN] Proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system

 

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[Mike Priaulx]

Hi Julia,

Thanks, and apologies I was unclear in my email -

I meant Wales has no policy for "swifts, bats and hedgehogs" or similar.

There is a section in Planning Policy Wales on general biodiversity which I'm sure is very good 

(I let other people worry about that!),

but they didn't take on board the SLN 2023 consultation comments and stuck with biodiversity net gain broadly following the English model, i.e. no reference to species features such as bird/ bat boxes/ hedgehog highways etc.

So for example Monmouthshire is consulting on its Local Plan now, and previously consulted on its biodiversity strategy,

and they stuck with the BNG-type route in both so unfortunately the message isn't getting through... yet!

I commented for SLN of course,

and hopefully Planning Policy Wales/ Building Regulations may get a future update!?

All the best,

Mike

---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Julia Barrell <jsba...@hotmail.com>Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2024 at 16:31Subject: Re: [SLN] Proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning systemTo: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>

[Julia Barrell]

Aha! Thanks Mike - that makes more sense.

Regards - Julia, Cardiff

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Sent: 14 December 2024 10:03

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Subject: [SLN] Proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system

 

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