Understanding the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
You may have landed on this blog asking yourself, “What is the NPPF?” or “How does the NPPF affect my development plans?” You're not alone. Navigating planning policy, especially the Town and Country Planning Act can feel overwhelming. Planning decisions will reference multiple policies across different policy documents…without clear guidance on their relevance or application.
Whether you are just beginning your development journey or already knee-deep in planning conversations, it is essential to understand the foundation of national planning policy: the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This blog offers a clear overview of what the NPPF is, how it is used, and why it matters.
For those working under permitted development rights, we recommend starting with our Permitted Development Series, beginning with "What is Permitted Development?".
What is the NPPF?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is a core government document that outlines planning policies for England. It serves as a guide for:
Local planning authorities when creating and updating Local Plans
Decision-making on individual planning applications
The NPPF sets the Government’s stance on planning priorities across economic, environmental, and social objectives. While it doesn’t replace Local Plans, it provides the national framework within which all local policies are developed.
You can view the most recent version of the NPPF on the official government website (or click here).
How is the NPPF used?
When evaluating the policy compliance of a development, your first reference point should be your Local Plan, the document specific to your local authority. The NPPF doesn’t typically apply directly to individual planning applications, but it shapes the development of local planning policies and sets overarching principles.
Some of these include:
A presumption in favour of sustainable development
A push for positive planning and housing delivery
Alignment with national priorities (e.g., housing need, environmental protection)
First introduced in 2012 (replacing the older PPS and PPG documents), the NPPF encourages consistency across the country while giving local authorities the power to tailor plans to their communities.
Recent updates to the NPPF
The NPPF has undergone several updates to reflect evolving national and environmental priorities. Recent changes address:
The climate crisis and biodiversity
The housing crisis and demand for supply
Sustainable land use and urban regeneration
Each update shapes how local authorities revise their Local Plans, ensuring planning policies stay relevant and aligned with national goals.
Why it is important not to view the NPPF in isolation
It’s important to note: the NPPF is not a standalone policy tool. It must be read alongside:
Your Local Plan
Supplementary planning documents (e.g. design guides)
Regional strategies (like The London Plan if you're in the capital)
Often, we see people quoting the NPPF in isolation, assuming it overrides local policy. That’s not the case. Local Plans must respond to the NPPF, but they reflect local needs, site constraints, and public input through consultation.
If your planning application is refused due to non-compliance with local policy, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. At this stage, the Inspector will assess both local and national policy, including how the NPPF was applied in the decision.
Topics covered by the NPPF
The NPPF is broad and detailed, covering multiple planning topics. Here’s a summary of its key areas:
Achieving sustainable development
Plan-making and decision-making processes
Delivering a sufficient supply of homes
Building a strong, competitive economy
Promoting sustainable transport
Supporting high-quality communications infrastructure
Making effective use of land
Protecting Green Belt land
Meeting the challenges of climate change, flooding, and coastal change
Conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environments
Facilitating sustainable mineral use
Each of these topics is then interpreted and adapted by local authorities to reflect the specific needs of their communities.
Final thoughts
Understanding the NPPF is essential for anyone engaging with the planning system, whether you're submitting a simple householder application or a major development. Its principles influence every aspect of local planning policy and decisions.
In future blog posts, we’ll be diving deeper into key NPPF topics, how they affect local policy and how our projects respond to them.
If you have any questions about the NPPF or how planning policy affects your development, we are happy to help. Contact us to see what we can do for you.