On 27 March 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published and came into force. The NPPF sets out the government planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. One of its key principles is the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The NPPF makes reference to the UN General Assembly definition of sustainable development, as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. It also refers to “five guiding principles”:
- living within the planet’s environmental limits;
- ensuring a strong, healthy and just society;
- achieving a sustainable economy;
- promoting good governance; and
- using sound science responsibly.
It should be remembered, however, that the overriding requirement is still that all planning decisions should be made in accordance with the local development plan put in place by the relevant local authority.
For a copy of the NPPF click here http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf