The government has continued proposals to reform the planning system, through a new consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework.

The consultation is open until 10 March 2026. The proposed reforms include a permanent presumption in favour of sustainable development in urban settings, building on the brownfield passport working paper.

In addition to this, the government is proposing a default “yes” for suitable proposals around railways stations, including on green belt land.

Further regulatory changes are proposed, including:

• A clear requirement to incorporate swift bricks into new developments
• The application of national standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
• Explicit protection for chalk streams.
• Recognition of improved, accessible and inclusive facilities for children’s play

The government is also seeking to support small and medium sized developers through a new medium site category. This would apply to sites of up to 2.5 hectares with between 10 and 49 homes. The government has set an expectation that local authorities allocate 10% of their sites to this category.

Specifically, the consultation sets out 12 key policy changes:

1. A permanent presumption in favour of suitably located development (brownfield passports).
2. Building homes around stations, with requirements for density.
3. Driving urban and suburban densification, including through the redevelopment of corner and other low-density plots, upward extensions and infill development.
4. Securing a diverse mix of homes, including through more flexibility on the unit mix of housing for market sale.
5. Supporting small and medium sites, through the new medium site category.
6. Streamlining local standards by limiting quantitative standards in development plans to only those specific issues where local variation is justified.
7. Boosting local and regional economies, by consulting on removing the town centre sequential test.
8. Supporting critical and growth minerals.
9. Further moving away from a “predict and provide” approach to transport planning
10. Addressing climate change, with decisions taking a more proactive approach to mitigation and adaption.
11. Conserving the natural environment through local nature recovery strategies and swift bricks.
12. A more positive approach to heritage assets.

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has welcomed proposed reforms to the NPPF, describing them as a serious and pragmatic step forward for housing delivery and a growth-focused planning system.

Ben Brittain, Director of Public Affairs at ACE, said: “Matthew Pennycook’s NPPF reforms are a welcome and practical shift. Prioritising development in well-connected locations and stripping out avoidable planning friction should now ensure we focus on addressing the emergency housing crisis.

“These reforms create a positive expectation that suitable sites for modern economy uses, such as gigafactories, data centres and laboratories are identified in local plans. That change is critical for investment, innovation and boosting growth, not just in London and the South-east but across Britain.”

Click here for full details.