Historic England (HE) has included an update on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in its latest Bulletin.
…[including] some of the key changes relevant to the historic environment elsewhere within the NPPF…
HE writes:
On 19 December 2023, a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in response to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) Reforms to National Planning Policy Consultation (closed 2 March 2023). On 20 December 2023, the revised NPPF was further updated to remove text from paragraph 14b, which was not intended for publication.
No changes have been made to the policy text within Chapter 16: Historic Environment of the NPPF, albeit that the paragraph and footnote references have changed as a result of additions elsewhere. Below is a summary of some of the key changes relevant to the historic environment elsewhere within the NPPF.
- Local plans Paragraph 1 of the NPPF Introduction has been amended to say (additions in bold) ‘It provides a framework within which locally-prepared plans can provide for sufficient housing and other development in a sustainable manner. Preparing and maintaining up-to-date plans should be seen as a priority in meeting this objective’. Changes have also been made to Annex 1 in relation to the implementation of the NPPF and local plans.
- Assessing local housing need – In Chapter 5: Delivering a sufficient supply of homes, a new paragraph 61 clarifies that the outcome of the standard method in national planning guidance is an ‘advisory starting point’ with robust evidence needed if an alternative approach is used. Five-year housing supply – Paragraph 76 of the new NPPF removes the requirement for those LPAs which have put in place an up-to-date local plan to update annually their five-year supply of land.
- Mansard roofs-Paragraph 124e of Chapter11: Making effective use of land, now states that authorities ‘should… allow mansard roof extensions on suitable properties’ where they harmonise with the original building.
- Uncharacteristic density – A new paragraph 130 in Chapter11: Making effective use of land states that significant uplifts in the average density of residential development may be inappropriate if the resulting built form would be ‘wholly out of character with the existing area.’ The government’s consultation response (see below) makes clear that this applies to plan-making only, and any resulting policies should be evidenced by local design codes.
- Beauty and planning conditions – As per the consultation proposals, the NPPF now includes several references to ‘beauty’, although the term itself remains undefined. Chapter 12: Achieving well-designed and beautiful places now includes a new paragraph 140 which encourages LPAs to use planning conditions to require clear details of a scheme’s design and materials. The paragraph also states that LPAs ‘should ensure that relevant planning conditions refer to clear and accurate plans and drawings which provide visual clarity about the design of the development.’
- GreenBelt: Chapter13: Protecting Green Belt land includes a new paragraph 145 which states that there is ‘no requirement for Green Belt boundaries to be reviewed or changed.’ It also adds that councils can still choose to review boundaries ‘where exceptional circumstances’ justify it.
- Energy Efficiency:Chapter14:Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal includes a new paragraph 164 which gives ‘significant weight’ to the importance of energy efficiency through adaptation of buildings. The paragraph also states that LPAs should apply the policies set out in Chapter 16 of the NPPF.
