It’s been a busy year for the planning system, and that’s not about to let up. At the same time as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) goes through the final administrative phases before becoming law, the UK Government will shortly be publishing a consultation on England’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This consultation will also introduce National Development Management Policies. Together these will update the Government’s rulebook for how and where development comes forward. 

While we’re frustrated by the precedent set by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and remain deeply concerned about the potential for wildlife to lose out as a result, the new approach will not directly impact all developments everywhere. However, the NPPF and NDMPs will impact every development. That’s why it’s so important Government gets this right. Here are the key points we want to see addressed. 

Rebalancing the planning system 

As identified by the Environmental Audit Committee, current planning rules are unbalanced when it comes to delivering genuinely sustainable development.  

‘Sustainable Development’ means delivering economic, social and environmental outcomes. However, ongoing rhetoric from senior Ministers continues to lay the blame on nature for holding back development. As is noted in the Government’s own Environmental Improvement Plan, this is simply not the case. 

A new NPPF is a chance to secure developments that have nature, climate and people at their heart. 

Delivering new protections for key habitats 

England has 85% of the world’s chalk streams and these irreplaceable habitats are not explicitly protected from damaging development. During the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Government committed to introducing new policy protections for chalk streams.  

Local Wildlife Sites cover around 5% of England and are areas of land that are especially important for their wildlife. However, they also have no explicit protections from development.  

The NPPF and NDMPs must protect chalk streams as an irreplaceable habitat and recognise the importance of protecting Local Wildlife Sites. 

Planning for nature’s recovery 

More and more local areas are publishing their Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS): these identify wildlife-rich areas and the steps that need to be taken to recover wildlife.  

They should be an invaluable tool to developers and planners to help apply the ‘mitigation hierarchy’ – and avoid harm to both protected areas and the spaces wildlife needs, while also targeting their actions to help nature (including as part of biodiversity net gain).  

With every area expected to be covered by an LNRS in spring 2026, this consultation provides a prime opportunity to ensure they are integrated into the planning system. 

The consultation should include National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) that integrate nature friendly design measures, including swift bricks, into the fabric of development and support access to nature.  

Local democracy and local council ambition 

In delivering new NDMPs, the Government must support local decision making and local ambition. Many councils have declared nature and climate emergencies and have local policies that go above and beyond minimum standards, for example, on energy efficiency, or with regard to nature friendly design measures. NDMPs must themselves set ambitious standards for wildlife and climate and enable local councils to set their own policies that go beyond them. 

What happens next?

The Government has promised to publish the consultation before the end of the year. Watch this space for how you may be able to get involved in supporting our asks.