Lead Member: Councillor David Walker – Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer: Eddie West - Planning Policy and Strategy Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the submission of the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated reforms to the planning system, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.     Delegated authority to the Service Director for Legal, Governance and Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to agree any minor additional changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government before 12th March 2026.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Planning presented the report which set out the Council’s proposed response to the Government’s consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Members were advised that the Council had been granted dispensation to submit its response after the consultation deadline to allow Cabinet approval.

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of clarity around spatial development strategies, including their geography, governance and resourcing.

Members highlighted the importance of ensuring the NPPF properly reflects the rural context, including the needs of hamlets and small villages, social sustainability, and the ability of rural communities to evolve.

Members were advised that the Council’s response was broadly positive but sought clarification or amendment in several areas, including:

• The definition of settlements,
• Development outside settlements,
• Tenure flexibility,
• Support for rural business development.

Additional wording was proposed to strengthen references to health and wellbeing as a cross?cutting planning issue, and to reflect social sustainability in rural areas.

Cabinet noted that minor amendments could be made to the response prior to submission, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and it was confirmed that the proposed response would be shared with the Portfolio Holder and Chair before submission.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the submission of the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated reforms to the planning system, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.     Delegated authority to the Service Director for Legal, Governance and Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to agree any minor additional changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government before 12th March 2026.