The Home Builders Federation has welcomed the Government's updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), describing the reforms as a positive step towards a more effective planning system, while warning that action is now needed to address wider policy and tax constraints that continue to hold back housing delivery.
The new NPPF, published by the Government on 17 August, sets out revised policies for plan-making and decisions on development proposals.
Among the announcements HBF has welcomed the requirement for local plans to allocate 10% of housing on small sites, and the decision to limit the ability for LPAs to require biodiversity net gain enhancements above the national statutory framework.
However, it has raised concerns that some requirements could restrict the use of policies intended to support housing delivery or affect site viability. In particular, requirements for the whole of a site to be within 800 metres or a 10-minute walk of a train station could limit the practical application of the new presumption in favour of development around railway stations.
Catherine Williams, Planning Director at the Home Builders Federation, said: "The Government’s planning reforms have been very welcome, reversing some of the damaging changes made by the last Government. The publication of the NPPF is another step towards a more positive planning framework.
"Positive steps such as the presumption in favour of development around railways stations could really help deliver housing, albeit some of the requirements risk limiting its use.
"However, housing supply is not determined by planning alone and the scale of the challenge is significant with housing supply indicators continuing to move in the wrong direction.
"Urgent action is needed to tackle the huge tax and policy cost burden on new homes which has rendered much of the country unviable, and to support a generation of would-be first-time buyers currently locked out of the housing market."
A full member briefing detailing the changes is available to view now.
HBF is holding a webinar, The revised NPPF: implications for the planning system and housing delivery, from 12.30pm 2pm on 3 September, exclusively for HBF members. Register to attend the webinar.