Briefing: Draft National Planning Policy Framework

In March 2018 the Government published a new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation. This document is the centre of planning policy across England and provides a clear opportunity to ensure the planning system is working to deliver more of the homes this country needs.

The draft NPPF and associated National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) show a real intent from government to address some of the issues leading to a loss of affordable homes, with the government clearly willing to make moves to close the viability loophole. However, the measures currently proposed may not deliver on the governments good intentions and require some additional work to ensure that the numbers of affordable homes in England are being maximised.