Why the NPPF is a force for good
John Elliott, Managing Director of Millwood Designer Homes, talks about the positive aspects of the new National Planning Policy Framework.
“The forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – a draft of which is currently out to consultation – has been hailed as the most important planning document since the Town & Country Planning Act of 1947. It is set to be the biggest change to the planning system in more than 60 years and scraps detailed planning guidance notes and circulars. Instead, the government insists there should be a presumption in favour of “sustainable” development to house a rising population. It is intended to speed up and simplify often complex laws at the same time as encouraging economic growth.
“However, according to some organisations, it heralds the destruction of Britain itself. Many have been quick to voice their concerns, including the National Trust, Friends of the Earth and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.
“Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, said that the government appeared to have declared open season on countryside not designated as Green Belt or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He added that the new framework will make the countryside and local character much less safe from damaging and unnecessary development. However, many of Britain’s companies have welcomed the proposals, saying they would help boost economic growth and jobs by removing the interminable delays and uncertainties surrounding the current system.
“While I agree that the NPPF is a positive move for housebuilders and all parties that have to use the planning system, I strongly believe that it is the positive effect that it will have on our economic growth and stability, changing and shaping the future of our country, that is paramount.
“The core element of the draft NPPF is sustainable development. It is about positive growth and making economic, environmental and social progress for us and our children. The reality of the dire situation we are in is that we are facing a chronic shortage of homes. It has been estimated that we now have a shortfall of supply approaching one million. Official projections have shown the need for circa 240,000 new homes in England a year just to meet growth in the number of households.
“The draft NPPF provides an important and substantial contribution to the reform of England’s planning system, and supports this desperately-needed increase in house building. It will not only encourage growth but protect our heritage, because the NPPF recognises the vital role that planning has in protecting our environment.
“Homes built today are of an increasingly high standard of energy efficiency, which makes them far less of a drain on the environment as they help tackle climate change and reduce energy bills. New homes generate on average 60% less CO2 than older homes and are becoming ever more energy efficient. They are economical to run and use all the latest advances in technology and innovation.
“The NPPF has also stated that significant weight should be given to truly outstanding or innovative designs and that permission should be refused for development of obviously poor design. This will ensure that homes will not only be aesthetically pleasing but also complement and enhance the local environment.
“Let’s not forget that housebuilding is vital to our recovery as a nation, since construction is one of the best ways to stimulate economic activity – each £1 spent generates a total of £2.84 in economic activity. Housebuilding is a massive home-grown British industry, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs up and down the country. Every new home built provides 1.5 direct full-time jobs plus up to four times that many in the supply chain.
“Despite all the doom and gloom about the state of the property market, residential property is in good shape. Recently-published estate agent figures reveal that the number of agreed sales rose sharply for the second consecutive month in July, with sales volumes increasing 9.6%, having jumped 10.7% in June. In addition, the number of properties sold in England and Wales for more than £1m surged by 45% in the year to April 2011. This just goes to show that properties are selling well and there is still a considerable amount of activity at both ends of the market, which further highlights the fact that we have to rectify the massive under-supply of homes.
“If we don’t do something now, it’s not just our generation that will suffer but our children, and our children’s children.
“As a housebuilder, I can see that you might think that I am going to see only positives in the NPPF strategy, but the reality is that we have to build more homes. What is important is how we approach this to ensure that the end result is a positive one for us all.”
Millwood currently has a range of properties in locations throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex. For more information about any of the developments, visit millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk.
