The National Planning Policy Framework impacts local government and developers in land finding.
TerraQuest, the operator of Planning Portal has welcomed the publication of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), while highlighting that local government and developers now face the practical challenge of identifying specific plots of land for development.
The updated NPPF aims to support the UK government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes (370,000 per year) within the current parliamentary term. However, the availability of land remains the single biggest constraint on housing delivery, as highlighted in a new white paper published by TerraQuest and Planning Portal.
Addressing land availability constraints
The white paper, "Plotting the future," explores key barriers to land availability, including:
- Planning restrictions
- Infrastructure limitations
- Economic and market factors
- Existing developments
The paper also evaluates how recent government policies, such as the ‘grey belt’ policy requiring local reviews of green belt allocations, may help unlock more land for housing while maintaining a brownfield-first approach.
Supporting developers & local authorities
With the revised NPPF expected to ease some historical constraints, developers and planning authorities must act swiftly to identify and acquire suitable sites. Land finding services, such as those provided by TerraQuest, can be invaluable in this process.
Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest, stated:
"The new NPPF is a step in the right direction for unlocking land for housing. However, the real challenge lies in identifying and securing specific sites. This is particularly crucial for SME developers and local planning authorities. Our expertise in the planning system, combined with strong industry connections, allows us to efficiently identify and source development-ready sites."
For a deeper analysis of land availability challenges and solutions, read the full "Plotting the future" white paper.
