Planning All Change: NPPF 2024

In the development industry you would have to have been sunning yourself on a beach in Outer Mongolia not to know that the tectonic plates are shifting. The new Labour Government with their massive majority have rocked up on a pro growth agenda, as their flagship strategy. Without this many of their other strategies will crash and burn, as there will be no money to pay for them. Fundamental to pro growth is seen as substantially changing the Planning framework. Planning is completely central to their strategy: to a greater extent than any previous incoming administration. Labour highlighted it before the election and true to their word: in the same month as elected, a new National Planning Policy Framework was issued for consultation, with a view to implement by December. Their determination and majority means that it is unlikely that the consultation will result in too much change. And knowing it is coming, actions and decisions by all sectors of the development industry, including the public authorities, are already reflecting its content. But are those actions the best? What does the new NPPF actually mean; what is its significance; and, what effect will it have? And, frankly, with the resources we have, how deliverable is it and will it be delivered? And what will happen in our area? To try and explain, as well as answer some of these questions the Good Bad and Ugly (but not in that order) of Leicestershire’s Planning scene are meeting at the Marquis of Wellington, London Road, Leicester on Tuesday 24th September at 6pm, as the prequel to this year’s Love Architecture Festival. Three 7 to 10 minutes slots will be presented as follows: Peter Wilkinson Landmark Planning: Strategic Issues Chris May Freeths Housing Matters Grant Butterworth Leicester City Council Local Implications. After a 30 minute max Q & A there will be the usual shoot out in the bar… between the protagonists. The last event at the Marquis was really enjoyable and oversubscribed, so book early to avoid disappointment.