Responding to today's announcements on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Royal Town Planning Institute has backed the government’s decision to allocate additional resources to enhance the planning system, acknowledging the critical investment needed to meet the UK’s ambitious housing and climate targets.
Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “The government has heard the concerns of planners and has responded with additional resources to strengthen the planning system. This is a clear and welcome recognition of the critical investment needed to meet ambitious housing and climate targets.
“Sites released through the grey belt process must benefit communities as a whole. We are pleased that the government responded to our concerns over the blanket 50% affordable housing requirement and is now allowing for local variations. We are also happy to see that there’s now a strengthened requirement for sites to be in sustainable locations, fostering healthier, well-connected communities.
"The key to success for the government's new national planning policy will be England-wide strategic planning. However, we will face a period of uncertainty as local planning authorities navigate their crucial role in the government's plans. Our ‘route map’ suggests guidance the Ministry can provide to ensure housing delivery and local plan production continue smoothly in the interim."
Further information
- The RTPI’s State of the Profession 2023 report found a quarter of planners left the public sector between 2013 and 2020. Meanwhile, the private sector experienced an 80% increase in the number of employed planners.
- A report by Public First in July 2024, commissioned by the RTPI, revealed that planning reform and increased housing development could miss out on over £70 billion in additional value by not investing in planning.
- Research commissioned by the RTPI revealed overwhelming support for effective strategic planning in England across the public and private sectors, with 96% of planners agreeing that a change to current practice is needed.
- In October, the RTPI proposed a clear "route map" to government to help Local Authorities take full advantage of strategic plans as soon as possible and to keep making local plans while they are introduced.
