NPPF consultation 2024: the TCPA’s response

The government has been consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The deadline for responses was 24 September, details here. The consultation has two parts: a track-changes version of the current NPPF, with minor amends, and a document setting out ‘Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’. This invites views on the proposed track-changes to the NPPF but also solicits responses to more far-reaching questions.

The TCPA has submitted a formal response to the consultation, which can be found below. You can also download a pdf of the TCPA’s proposed NPPF changes on climate mitigation and adaptation.

In summary, given the urgency of both the climate and health crises, the TCPA thinks that the proposed changes to the NPPF are inadequate and will not result in the climate-resilient places and healthy populations that the government has committed to achieve. While the TCPA fully supports the government’s ambition to build more new homes more quickly, this must not lead to the creation of homes and places that will entrench problems for the future.

In the below blog, the TCPA’s director of policy Hugh Ellis sets out the four key policy areas that the NPPF must address.