On Saturday 30 January, MHCLG released a suite of proposed changes to the 2019 National Planning Policy Framework.

The changes proposed largely facilitate the integration of the National Model Design Code, however, other subtle changes are included within the proposed update.

These include:

• Requiring local plans to not just meet the need of the area, but also consider infrastructure requirements, adapt to climate change and improve biodiversity. A range of other amendments relating to biodiversity improvement are included, which foreshadows the impending requirements of the Environment Bill;
• Take a longer-term (30-year) horizon for larger-scale development;
• Restrict the use of Article 4 for national Permitted Development Rights;
• Altering the requirements for ‘Paragraph 79’ homes (now in Paragraph 80);
• Requiring the preparation of local design codes, in line with the national Model Design Code;
• Require developments that are ‘not well designed to be refused, while ‘good design’ should be supported;
• Encourage the provision of street trees; and
• Provide additional protection for statues, plaques, and monuments.

This document provides a complete summary of the changes proposed.

The consultation period runs until 27 March 2021.

We are in the process of preparing a more detailed analysis of the National Model Design Code, which will be released to our website shortly.