NPPF Discussions

RICS recently held two strategic roundtable meetings in Birmingham and Bristol in conjunction with POS to discuss the draft National Planning Policy Framework. The aim was to assist and inform consultation responses, ongoing and future discussions on the NPPF with government officials and ministers. Such discussions have been welcomed by participants in bringing all sides together to examine topical issues.

In a lively debate, whilst the principle of the NPPF was commended there were inevitably some concerns about certain elements of content, implications and impact.

Key areas considered included what additional guidance if any might be needed to back up the NPPF, implications for existing core strategies, practicalities for new core strategies, clarity – or not, impact on industry and investor confidence and certainty, likelihood of appeals, skills and resource to deliver, necessary cross border issues and the duty to cooperate. New opportunities and freedoms were also identified.