Tom Pike, director of planning at Lanpro looks at reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework.
Following the Deputy Prime Minister’s address to the House of Commons on 30 July, the long-awaited proposed reforms to the NPPF, together with other changes to the planning system, have been published for consultation. Since taking power, the Government has been clear that the only route to improving prosperity is through sustained economic growth and Lanpro wholeheartedly supports this direction. Whilst the focus in the media has been on housebuilding, there are some notable changes proposed which could have implications for the energy sector.
Strengthening of support for clean energy
The consultation proposes to direct the decision-maker to give “significant weight” to the benefits associated with renewable and low carbon energy generation. This is likely to increase the prospect that local planning authorities (LPAs) will grant permission for renewable energy schemes, so is very good news for the sector.
NSIP threshold amendments for solar and onshore wind
The consultation includes a proposal to raise the threshold at which solar projects are determined by the Secretary of State under the NSIP regime, increasing the existing threshold of 50MW to 150MW. The Government cites technological advancement as one of the reasons for this change, together with many schemes being advanced at just below the existing threshold. Again, this proposal is encouraging as it removes the viability challenges of schemes that were marginally above the existing threshold. Further, it should avoid limiting schemes in instances where grid capacity exceeded the existing threshold. However, the speed and scale at which LPAs and existing communities might accept new onshore wind schemes raises some concerns, since there has been an absence of onshore wind through the local authority approvals process – this was partly a result of community resistance to such schemes.
Because the threshold for onshore wind projects to be determined through the NSIP process is proposed to be 100MW, providers may well opt for larger projects to avoid schemes being determined by local authorities.
Onshore wind
The new government recently revoked several ‘tests’ within the existing NPPF that applied to onshore wind proposals. At the time of doing so, it committed to consulting to bring onshore wind back into the NSIP regime. Fulfilling this commitment, the government has included this proposal within the consultation. We see this as a positive step in increasing the amount of energy generated through onshore wind, removing the barriers that have been in place for many years.
Plan-making for renewable and low carbon development
The consultation includes an expectation that LPAs should proactively identify sites for renewable and low carbon development when preparing Local Plans. Some proactive LPAs have already identified areas for such developments. However, this proposal provides a potential additional avenue for promoters and developers to bring forward development, aligning more closely with traditional sectors such as residential and commercial. This proposal is welcome, given the clear need to increase energy generation, but we remain concerned about the increased complexity that it may bring to the Plan-making process.
Agricultural land for food production
The NPPF consultation proposes to remove the availability of agricultural land for food production as an explicit consideration in determining if sites are appropriate for development. Whilst food security is crucial for national security, it is important to safeguard best and most versatile agricultural land when determining proposals. The planning system is always a difficult balancing act, but the housing crisis and the need for energy security put considerable demands on land use, such that compromises such as this are sometimes necessary.
Cost recovery for LPAs related to NSIPs
The proposed reforms to planning policy would enable local authorities to recover costs in relation to the applications for Development Consents which fall within their area. This would enable host authorities to charge fees, payable by applicants, in relation to the relevant services they provide. Again, this is a positive proposal, because it recognises the important role that local authorities provide in the process. However, while lack of resources across both public and private sectors remains, it risks delays to planning decisions and, therefore, a delay to realising the necessary growth.
The NPPF consultation closes on 24 September 2024. We look forward to contributing positively to the consultation and welcoming these significant and long overdue changes.