Small but Mighty Changes in the Revised National Planning Policy Framework – Promoting Healthy and Safe Communities

26th October 2018

For much of this section of the new NPPF, the content remains the same, with a slight amplification on certain issues and some changes in emphasis in terms of language used. The Government’s objectives with regard to the delivery of educational facilities, the tests relating to the protection of open space, and the designation of local green space all remain the same.

The 2012 version of the NPPF placed a generic emphasis on the need for development to enable and support healthy lifestyles. The revised version now provides a bit more context as to how this might be achieved by listing certain criteria such as encouraging the provision of pedestrian and cycle connections; and securing access to healthier food and allotments… no doubt these are features that will increasingly appear as part of future planning policies.

Other key changes include:

• A new specific focus on estate regeneration, which encourages LPA’s to use their planning powers to help deliver estate regeneration to a high standard – obviously welcome news and a positive step in many inner city locations.
• Specific reference is also made to the need for planning policies and decisions to promote public safety, including anticipating and addressing possible malicious threats and natural hazards in locations where large numbers of people are expected to congregate. There is a footnote confirming where these considerations will apply and lists transport hubs, leisure and institutional venues and commercial centres as relevant development.

To find out more or how this affects your planning applications, please contact us on 01256 766673.

Written by Senior Principal Planner, Dan Rogers.