The G15 responds to National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code consultation

  • 31 March 2021

The G15 welcomes the review of the National Planning Policy Framework to incorporate a greater emphasis on design quality and sustainability.

We're particularly enthusiastic about the reference to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and the renewed focus on the role played by well-designed, beautiful and safe places in achieving the social objectives of sustainable development.

But we do have concerns about the proposed changes to limit the use of Article 4 directions, as they stand. Limiting the use of Article 4 to the smallest geographical area possible is too prescriptive as it does not allow enough flexibility to accommodate rapid change in local socio-economic needs over the medium- and long-term.

Read our full response