As we welcome the first blog of the new year, it's hard not to reflect on the theme of new beginnings. But I’m not talking about resolutions – as motivating as they can be. Rather, the broader shifts that are set to impact planning across England. Chief among them is the reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was announced just before the year ended.
If this theme sounds familiar, it's perhaps because I addressed a similar topic in December 2023, reflecting on the announcements made by then-Secretary of State Michael Gove MP. I had the opportunity to sit in front of the lectern as he outlined his NPPF changes.
While it’s understandable that a new government would seek to reset the table, and while we support many of the changes made by the recently renamed Ministry, we must acknowledge the challenges posed by rapid alterations to the policies that govern our profession.
2024 shaped up to be a year of transformation in the planning sector, one unlike any we’ve seen in decades. And with the pace of change showing no signs of slowing, I’d like to focus on my two main hopes for 2025: certainty and consistency. Whilst the NPPF only applies to planning policy in England, the policy landscape continues to evolve across the devolved nations in the UK, and we are seeing changes too in Ireland. One thing we can be certain of; there will be lots to keep our members busy during 2025 across the nations and regions.
Fortunately, early government announcements are already showing signs of the clarity we’ve hoped for, particularly in the strengthened collaboration between local authorities through the upcoming English Devolution Bill. We believe these developments should provide some of that long-awaited clarity – a key request in the RTPI’s NPPF response – providing the scoping, geography, and timeframes for strategic planning. With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill expected to be presented in Parliament early this year, we hope the "certainty and consistency" theme will continue.
And with that, let me move to the person who will be helping us manage those hopes, Helen Fadipe MBE, founder of BAME Planners Network, and President of the RTPI for 2025. Helen will take the Presidential baton from Lindsey Richards, whose remarkable leadership and charisma have guided the Institute throughout 2024. While Lindsey’s presence will certainly be missed, we are excited to support Helen as she takes on this important role and an exciting time for planning.
