Hounslow Council has welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s recent proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the planning system.

The consultation on these changes will continue until 24 September 2024.

The council supports the proposed changes, which do not affect Hounslow’s housing target within its Local Plan. The government’s proposals affirm that areas like Hounslow must still meet the proposed housing requirements in the adopted London Plan.

The government’s proposals, emphasising affordable housing, align with Hounslow Council’s commitment to providing 1,000 high-quality homes for council rent by 2026. The council believes these reforms support its current approach to planning and growth, facilitating the progression of the borough’s latest Local Plan, which will soon be open for consultation.

The proposals also require all planning authorities with Green Belt land to review it to meet unmet housing, commercial, or other needs where brownfield sites cannot provide them. Hounslow’s limited, targeted land release approach aligns with the borough’s planning policy and the proposed NPPF reforms.

Cllr Tom Bruce, Hounslow Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration, and Development, said: “We are encouraged by the government’s proposed changes, which support our ongoing efforts to provide much-needed affordable housing and sustainable growth in Hounslow. These reforms will help us continue to move forward with our ambitious plans to provide high-quality, well-designed and sustainably built new homes alongside jobs, community infrastructure and enhanced green spaces.

“We look forward to working within the revised NPPF and other forthcoming changes to create a better future for all Hounslow residents.”

The key changes proposed by these reforms relate to:

  • Universal coverage of Local Plans – making sure that all local authorities have up-to-date Local Plans in place to guide growth and development
  • Reviews of green belt and ‘grey belt’, where these areas can contribute to meeting the need for housing, commercial and other uses
  • Re-introducing a national methodology for calculating housing targets and requiring authorities to hit these targets to meet growing demand and support the government’s plans to increase the availability of housing
  • More emphasis on the delivery of affordable homes
  • The re-introduction of Strategic Planning in places outside of London that do not currently benefit from strategic plans. London has the London Plan.
  • A greater emphasis on enabling infrastructure that supports growth 
  • Reinforcing the importance of high-quality design for new developments. 
  • Increasing planning fees to help local authorities support and build capacity

The government’s consultation on the proposed National Planning Policy Framework changes closes on Tuesday, 24 September. Hounslow Council will be formally responding to the consultation in due course.

 

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