The National Planning Policy Framework has been labelled “contradictory and confusing” by the Environment Audit select committee.
In a letter to prime minister David Cameron, the committee has called for clearer wording in the NPPF.
“As it stands, the new planning policy framework appears contradictory and confusing,” said Joan Walley, Labour MP and chair of the committee.
“It pays lip service to sustainable development without providing a clear definition, potentially leaving future planning decisions open to legal challenges.
“There are environmental limits to how much development any one area can sustain and the government should acknowledge this in the final draft of the NPPF.
“If the new planning framework protects our green belt and countryside, as the government claims, then there should be no problem in defining sustainable development more clearly to avoid misinterpretation.”
The NPPF will simplify the UK’s planning system from more than 1,000 pages to around 52 pages.
Nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
