We have heard strong and repeated concerns that the environment could be sidelined in the presumption for sustainable development, and that the current revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) could result in unsustainable and speculative development. The evidence we received suggests that the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as currently framed, prioritises economic growth over environmental protection, leading to outcomes that are inconsistent with the long...

We have heard strong and repeated concerns that the environment could be sidelined in the presumption for sustainable development, and that the current revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) could result in unsustainable and speculative development. The evidence we received suggests that the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as currently framed, prioritises economic growth over environmental protection, leading to outcomes that are inconsistent with the long-term goals of sustainability and the NPPF’s goal of sustainable development. (Conclusion, Paragrap 43) Type: conclusion | Number: 5 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 11. This recommendation cuts across a range of plans, policies and tools, some of which are in the Town and Country planning system, and some of which sit outside the planning system and under different legislation. The planning system is deliberately designed to balance the competing needs and dema