NPPF to boost affordable homes development

At an event run by the British Property Federation this morning to discuss the NPPF, Greg Clark said he was ‘committed’ to tackling the UK’s housing crisis, despite fears that a more localised planning system would attract nimby opposition.

The document has come under attack from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust, who claim that it will lead to widespread development on the green belt.

Speaking to Inside Housing, Mr Clark said he had expected a lively debate around the proposed reforms. ‘I think anyone that’s ever had anything to do with planning policy will know that it quite rightly excites passions,’ he said.

‘We’re very clear that the green belt needs to be protected and there are many organisations who regard this as an absolutely essential set of reforms.

‘This is quite rightly something that is attracting a lot of interest from a lot of people and I’m sure we can reform the system in a way that means we do have the homes that are needed to be provided, but to do so in a way that protects, and indeed enhances, the national historic environment.’

When asked whether he expected a climb down from government over some of the more controversial elements of the paper, Mr Clark said: ‘We will listen carefully to what people say but our intentions are simplifying the planning system and putting people in charge.’

Mr Clark did accept that ‘distilling’ the number of pages of planning legislation from 1,000 to around 50 would lead to ‘some bits not being expressed in the clearest way’.

Dame Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, said she was ‘horrified’ by the draft of the NPPF, and that is it ‘not a balanced document’.

To find out more about Inside Housing’s Get on our Land campaign and pledge your support visit our campaign page.