National Planning Policy Framework

What is the national planning policy framework (NPPF)?

In simple terms, the NPPF is a national document which pretty much shapes how we will live. The document acts as a rulebook for planning and advises local planning authorities (LPA’s) and developers on what they can and cannot do when planning developments. The term ‘developments’ refers to anything from roads and buildings but also change in land use, such as converting offices to housing. It contains a range of policies that ultimately determines what gets built where.

The NPPF will guide, at a high-level, strategic planning and development for the country over the next 20+ years so that as the population grows, that growth is sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms.

National policies vary between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland; however a key requirement of development is to consider accessibility by all users, with priority given to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. National Planning Policy sets out that planning decisions should apply a presumption in favour of sustainable developments.

The full document is available to view on the Government Website, but in terms of highways and how this is referred to in the NPPF, here is a very basic summary.

• The NPPF states that ‘All developments that will generate significant amounts of movements should be required to provide a Travel Plan and the application should be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed’.  Transport Assessments/Statements and Travel Plans are normally produced by specialist engineers and transport planning professionals on behalf of developers.
• The NPPF states that ‘Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places’. We can help you in this process.
• The NPPF states that ‘developers should identify, assess and take into account the environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure’. By instructing a Highways Consultant in the early stages of a development these matters can be assessed and any adverse effects avoided or mitigated.
• The NPPF states that ‘developers should understand and address the potential impacts of development on transport networks and identify and pursue opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use’.  Again, we can identify these opportunities.

Overall, when considering development proposals, from a Highway concern, developers should ensure that;

1. sustainable transport modes are prioritised taking account of the vision for the site, the type of development and its location;
2. safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users;
3. the design of streets, parking areas, other transport element and the content of associated standards reflects current national guidance, including the National Design and the national Model Design Code and;
4. any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree through a vision-led approach.

Developments should only be prevented or refused on highway grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network, following mitigation, would be severe, taking into account all reasonable future scenarios.

Furthermore, applications for development should;

1. give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that encourage public transport use;
2. address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport;
3. create places that are safe, secure and attractive – which minimise the scope for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, avoid unnecessary street clutter, and respond to local character and design standards;
4. allow for the efficient delivery of goods, and access by service and emergency vehicles; and
5. be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles in safe, accessible and convenient locations.

Finally, all developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan, and the application should be supported by a vision-led transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed.