NPPF 2026 - A Radical Change to Planning Policy

Introduction

NPPF 2026 represents the most significant change to national planning policy in England since the introduction of the first iteration of the NPPF back in 2012.

For the first time, it creates national development management policies, an entirely new layer of guidance that is already reshaping how planning decisions are made across the country.

Material changes have been made to key planning policies including the presumption in favour of sustainable development, the approach to green belt and heritage protection. New policies have also been introduced including policies relating to climate change, nature conservation and recovery, and supporting clean energy and water.

Understanding the scale and impact of these changes is essential for anyone involved in planning, development, or environmental stewardship.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Brief background to the NPPF 2026 and the revised structure and approach involving 'local plan style' numbered policies
• Guidance on the new hierarchy of development plans including spatial development strategies and supplementary plans
• National decision-making policies
• The new presumption in favour of sustainable development based on whether development is within or outside a settlement
• Green belt policy including new categories of ‘appropriate’ development
• The new approach to planning for housing growth
• Policies encouraging the effective use of land
• New climate change policies
• A revised ‘rules-based’ approach to heritage protection
• New approaches to nature conservation and recovery, managing flood risk, planning for town centres, economic development, supporting clean energy and water, minerals planning and a vision-led approach to transport planning
• Reflections on the impact the changes will have on planning decision making and plan preparation

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.