national planning policy framework - 2024

The Government has released a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

​After sharing a draft for public input in July 2024, the Government has reviewed the feedback and finalised the new policy agenda. This update brings significant changes, especially regarding the Green Belt and housing targets.

A new "grey belt" category has been created for green belt land that has been developed before or does not meet many of the five Green Belt objectives. Developments on grey belt land will no longer be labelled as "inappropriate" and will not need to show Very Special Circumstances for approval, provided new criteria for affordable housing, necessary infrastructure and open spaces are met.

These changes to the Green Belt are part of the new Governments plans for growth in many sectors, not just housing. There is now a stronger focus on developing on brownfield sites, along with updates to the development management policy. Local planning authorities will face clearer, higher, and mandatory housing targets, based on a new method of calculating demand.
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The policy also strengthens regulations for commercial development, such as for new employment spaces, while emphasizing important national facilities like data centres and logistics hubs.

The Government plans to continue reforming policies beyond the new NPPF, which are being tentatively welcomed by the sector.