The Government's "simplified" National Planning Policy Framework has yet again come under attack, this time from MPs. The Framework was designed to reduce over 1,000 pages of planning guidance to just 52 as, it is claimed, a simplified system is needed to boost growth and sustainable development.
Although many welcome the simplification, it seems it has created more confusion than anything else. A Commons communities committee reported that the guidance has been slimmed down so much it is now "unhelpfully vague."
It has already been subjected to a high profile campaign from the National Trust who were worried that the Framework placed too much emphasis on economy, detracting from other planning elements such as the environment and society. The Daily Telegraph has simultaneously been running a "Hands off our land" campaign in response to, amongst other things, fears that the Framework may make it easier to develop the greenbelt.
Most of the concerns stem from the "presumption of sustainable development" included in the Framework, which is not defined and could be considered to be ambiguous.
The most recent attack is, however, over concerns about the new policy that creates a default answer of "yes" to development. The Commons communities and local government committee's Labour Chairman, Clive Betts, said the Framework must be rewritten, stating, "The way the framework is drafted currently gives the impression that greater emphasis should be given in planning decisions to economic growth." He added, "As currently drafted the default "yes" to development also carries the risk of the planning system being used to implement unsustainable development."
However, the Planning Minister Greg Clark said that most MPs support the main points of the plans, but, "What they felt is there are some ambiguities and have suggested some changes. I have invited them to advise me and so of course I'm going to take their advice very seriously."
