The new National Planning Policy Framework has stirred up a lot of controversy, especially among organisations claiming to represent the countryside. I have written before about the dangers of preserving green space at the cost of economic opportunities and I think the new framework offers real opportunities for local areas to take more control of local planning issues.
In its own words, the document “provides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities.” This is the carrot, but if local and district councils fail to update their plans or communities do not engage in the process, the presumption in favour of development (sorry…sustainable development!) then kicks in.
Beyond the first couple of pages where the presumption in favour of sustainable development is set out along with the presumption in favour of planning decisions that reflect effective local plans, the remainder is largely guidelines for what local plans should include. In essence, not even 50 pages of “policy” but 10 pages of policy and 40 pages of guidance for those designing local plans.
With this guidance, the key message for the rural economy is on page 27 and states:
“Planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable new development. To promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood
plans should:
● support the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business and enterprise in rural areas, both through conversion of existing buildings and well designed new buildings;
● promote the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses;
● support sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities and visitors, and which respect the character of the countryside. This should include supporting the provision and expansion of tourist and visitor facilities in appropriate locations where identified needs are not met by existing facilities in rural service centres; and
● promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship.”
Does this reflect the features and qualities of rurality that we understand? Can rural communities achieve these goals through a local planning process or will the power of developers enable them to lay a greater claim to rural England? I guess only time will tell.