Today (July 30) the Government has released its much-anticipated proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), alongside a press release outlining their aim to ‘build the homes we need’. This maps out how the Government intends to meet its goal to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years.
Key changes proposed in the NPPF which affect the North East:
- Introduction of a new standard method for calculating the minimum local housing need for each local planning authority area.
- This has resulted in a notable increase in the regional requirement from 6,123 dwellings per annum to 12,202 dwellings per annum with most local planning authorities in the region experiencing a notable uplift in their housing need.
- The 35% uplift for Newcastle however is now no longer to be applied.
- This nevertheless represents the largest percentage increase in housing growth across any region of England.
- The increase in housing targets in the area is accompanied by a reinstatement of previous housing land supply and housing delivery requirements.
- This means we are likely to see many authorities in the region having to undertake reviews of their Local Plans so as to accommodate this additional growth.
- The authorities with Green Belt will also now likely have to undertake Green Belt reviews to identify land to come forward for residential development.
- There is a distinction made in this case between brownfield land within the Green Belt, a newly defined ‘grey belt’ and greenfield land in the Green Belt; with a preference for brownfield and grey belt over greenfield when examining potential Green Belt release.
- Such Green Belt releases will however need to provide at least 50% affordable housing, subject to viability.
- There is also an emphasis on providing the necessary infrastructure improvements to go alongside residential development.
Developing Consensus supports the ambition for growth for the North East, which aligns with our principles to boost prosperity in the region, whilst maximising the potential of our Devolution Deal. Alongside housing must come the economomic and employment opportunities needed to underpin our economy and ensure the North East is building a sustainable future. We will study these changes in more detail over the coming days.
Consultation on the proposed changes to the NPPF runs until 24 September 2024 and Developing Consensus will be preparing a response with a focus on promoting growth in the North East.