Localism and the National Planning Policy Framework

Localism and the
National Planning Policy
Framework

Matt Thomson
Head of Planning

Why localism is important to CPRE

• Letting communities plan
• for development that

meets their needs
• in ways that respect their

local identity

Why localism is important to CPRE

• But...
• Principle of subsidiarity
• Each community must

consider wider context
• How to plan for things

everyone needs but
nobody wants

Neighbourhood planning

Neighbourhood plans must adhere to some basic conditions
including:
• Having regard to national policies and advice
• Having special regard to the historic environment
• Contributing to sustainable development
• Being in general conformity with the strategic policies

within the development plan
• Being compatible with EU obligations

Housing in rural areas

• Policy clear that aim is to significantly boost the supply of
housing.

• Councils should plan to meet ‘full, objectively assessed needs’
for housing

• Including meeting needs of different groups
• Identifying ‘size, type, tenure and range of housing’ that is

needed

Housing in neighbourhood plans

UENDP1 – Rural exceptions housing for local people
• Many parishes have no affordable housing at all
• Policy relaxes rural exception site policy in

Eden Housing Supplementary Planning
Document to make more sites allowable
• But still takes into consideration the impact on
the visual and landscape amenity of the area
Plan also sets out conditions that can be used to
ensure houses are occupied by local people

Requiring good design

‘The Government attaches great importance to the design of the built
environment…’

• Neighbourhood plans should develop robust and comprehensive policies that
set out the quality of development that will be expected for the area

• While local and neighbourhood policies should not be overly prescriptive it
is appropriate to seek to promote local distinctiveness

Design in Thame neighbourhood plan

• ‘Mini-local plan’
• Objective – Development should reinforce

the character and quality of Thame
• 15 specific policies – including minimising

visual impact of development on views
from the countryside
• Specific site proposals reinforce general
policies

Promoting healthy communities

Plans ‘can play an important role in facilitating social interaction
and creating healthy, inclusive communities’
• Access to open space and opportunities for sport and recreation
• Planning policies and decisions should promote safe and accessible

environments
• Communities should identify green areas for protection

Protecting green spaces - Tattenhall

Designates 32 sites as ‘Green Spaces’
• Protected from development ‘unless very special

circumstances can be demonstrated’
• 15 sites for their ‘open space value’ due to its

contribution to the character of the village
• 4 sites for their sport, recreation and amenity value
• 13 sites for their conservation value
(Legal challenge by housebuilders failed.)

Too good to be true…?

Neighbourhood plans carry weight
But there are concerns:
• Weight being given to draft plans
• Commitment to sustainable development
• Top down vs bottom up – e.g. PDR
Not the only tool to shape local areas

Conclusion

• Limits and restrictions on localism
• Communities need to be clear about action
• Useful policy hooks in national policy
• Useful examples from plans now in place

Questions? CPRE National Office
5-11 Lavington Street
Matt Thomson
Head of Planning London
DD: 020 7981 2864 SE1 0NZ
E: [email protected] Tel: 020 7981 2800
www.cpre.org.uk/
www.planninghelp.org.uk