Briefing: NPPF Consultation

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 current model for delivering affordable homes, heavily based on provision by private developers as part of a wider scheme, is not delivering the number that it could, or should, be doing. The use of viability assessments to argue away community benefits from development is endemic across the country, and reduces support for housebuilding.

The draft NPPF and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) show a shift on this issue, with the government clearly willing to make moves to close the viability loophole. However, the measures currently proposed will not end the overuse of viability assessments to the detriment of community needs.