News

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government’s policies for plan-making and for making decisions on development proposals in England. Following a period of consultation the government has published a new NPPF which came into effect as of 17th August 2026. The new NPPF incorporates a number of substantive reforms reflecting the proposals set...Read More

Following the government’s announcement in April 2026, the following changes to statutory BNG exemptions came into effect on 6th August 2026; New 0.2Ha exemption: Small developments are exempt from mandatory BNG unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted. Of note, ‘hedgerows’ are included in the list of habitats of principal importance. New temporary development exemption for...Read More

In December 2025 the Government launched a major consultation on planning reform which will lead to a fundamental rewrite of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The proposed changes are designed to support the Governments ambition to build 1.5 million new homes over this Parliament. The measures will make the NPPF clearer, more rules-based and...Read More

Following initial feedback on the scope of the Local Plan Review and the response to their call for sites exercise, the Council have prepared an initial full draft Local Plan for consultation. The revised Local Plan will look forward to 2043 and will set out the planning policy framework for the National Park, guiding decisions...Read More

The government has launched a consultation seeking views from BNG stakeholders including developers, planners, ecologists, environmental groups, landscape architects, local authorities and community members on the implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield developments. The consultation notes that, following the introduction of mandatory BNG requirements for small sites/minor development in April 2024, evidence and...Read More

A revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 12TH December 2024 following the government’s consultation on the proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system. The updates to the NPPF make a number of alterations to the text of the Framework and also includes updates to the planning practice...Read More