National Planning Policy Framework

The consultation draft gave rise to a vigorous campaign which included Civic Voice, individual civic societies, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust.  The final policy document, which came into immediate effect subject to some limited transitional arrangements, included most of the changes which respondents to the consultation had been calling for.   

The main document is only 65 pages long.  It remains to be seen whether the removal of most of the material which had been included in former planning policy statements will speed up or hinder the planning application process.  Some commentators have suggested that the lack of detail will lead to much more litigation. In some local authority areas, the complete absence of a statutory Local Plan is likely to be a complicating factor.  However, Oxford City Council is not one of these.  Oxford Civic Society will continue to monitor the implementation of the NPPF and welcomes comments from members and the public on its impact.  

See also

1. Department of Communities and Local Government
2. Civic Voice 

May 2012

Sir Clive Booth, Vice Chairman