National Planning Policy Framework Updates: Proposed Changes and What They Mean for Agriculture
The Government has recently consulted on a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The draft document includes some significant changes, including a clearer overall structure that now separates plan making policies from decision making policies, and introduces several notable changes affecting rural planning and agricultural development, with the intention of providing stronger national support for farming related development.
Richard Bailey, Assosiate and Planning Consultant at Stags, explains some of the changes in more detail:
Clearer Support for Agricultural Development
A key proposal is a revision to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, which would now include a specific section addressing the principle of development outside of settlements.
Within this section, agricultural and horticultural development is identified as a form of development that should be approved unless the benefits of the proposal are substantially outweighed by adverse effects. The use of the words ‘should be approved’ and ‘substantially outweighed’ indicates a clear presumption in favour of agricultural and horticultural development.
The Government’s intention here is to limit the circumstances in which such proposals can be refused where they align with national policy objectives, particularly those linked to economic growth, to which farming is a key contributor.
New National Decision Making Policies for Economic Growth
The draft NPPF also introduces two new economic national decision making policies, both of which are particularly relevant to agriculture and rural businesses.
Meeting The Need for Business Land and Premises
The first policy focuses on meeting the need for business land and premises. To support business growth, it makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the:
“Benefits for domestic food production, animal welfare and the environment, which can be demonstrated through proposals for development for farm and agricultural modernisation.”
This policy underlines national support for agricultural development that modernises operations for the benefit of food production, animal welfare and the environment.
Rural Business Development
The second policy relates specifically to rural business development and clarifies how the sustainable growth of rural businesses in rural areas should be supported, including through:
“The development and diversification of agricultural and other land based businesses.”
The policy also supports:
“Development to maintain and enhance farm viability and sustainability and support domestic food production, such as better accommodation for livestock, on farm reservoirs, greenhouses, polytunnels, farm shops, and temporary accommodation for seasonal workers (where this accommodation is ancillary to the agricultural use and not for permanent occupation).”
This policy continues the current support for diversification projects that is within the current NPPF whilst introducing explicit policy backing for a wide range of agricultural development where this is linked to farm viability and sustainability, and domestic food production.
What The Proposed NPPF Changes Mean For Farmers
Overall, the changes are considered to provide a broader scope for justifying agricultural development and strengthen national support for both agricultural development and farm diversification. The NFU has commented that the revisions“could help unlock agricultural growth and build stronger, more resilient farms”.
Next Steps for the National Planning Policy Framework
The consultation period has now closed, and the Government will be reviewing the responses received. It is expected that the revised NPPF will be published during the summer.
Planning Advice For Rural And Agricultural Development
Stags and our specialist Planning and Design team work with many farmers across the South West and are highly experienced in advising on planning matters relating to rural and agricultural development.
If you would like to find out more, please contact the Stags Planning and Design team at [email protected]
