PLANNING POLICY AND DEFINITIONS 

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2021 

This is the planning policy framework that all local authority planning officers and committees must adhere to when making decisions on applications and the policies that local authorities must apply when constructing Local Plans. National Planning Policy Framework (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Draft of an updated NPPF issued for consultation National Planning Policy Framework: draft text for consultation (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Development Plans 

Local Plan 

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two. 

Neighbourhood Plan 

A plan prepared by a parish/town council or neighbourhood forum for a designated neighbourhood area. In law this is described as a neighbourhood development plan in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It will expand on the approved Local Plan applicable in which the neighbourhood is located. 

Major development 

For housing, development where 10 or more homes will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more. For non-residential development it means additional floorspace of 1,000m2 or more, or a site of 1 hectare or more, or as otherwise provided in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. 

Planning Applications 

Outline Planning Applications 

Outline planning applications are used to gain an understanding as to whether the nature of a development is acceptable and can help ensure viability up front. Specific details known as Reserved Matters can then be confirmed later. It allows for planning permission to be granted subject to the condition that reserved matters are approved before development begins. 

Reserved Matters Application 

An application for Approval of Reserved Matters is only required when the applicant already has outline planning permission for a development. This cannot be used as a stand-alone application for planning permission.  

After approval of outline planning consent, reserved matters must be submitted to gain the right for development. This deals with the outstanding details which were omitted from the outline planning application. These reserved matters can include: 

Appearance - aspects of a building or place which affect the way it looks, including the exterior of the development. 

Means of access - covers accessibility for all routes to and within the site, as well as the way they link up to other roads and pathways outside the site. 

Landscaping - the improvement or protection of the amenities of the site and the area and the surrounding area, this could include planting trees or hedges as a screen. 

Layout - includes buildings, routes and open spaces within the development and the way they are laid out in relations to buildings and spaces outside the development. 

Scale - includes information on the size of the development, including each proposed building details. The reserved matters application must be in line with the outline approval, including any conditions attached to the permission. If the proposals have changed in any way, the applicant may need to reapply for outline or full planning permission. Some, though not all, details may have been formally submitted and approved at the outline application stage, if the applicant chose to do so, or the council insisted. 

Permission in Principle: 

 A form of planning consent which establishes that a site is suitable for a specified amount of housing-led development in principle. Following a grant of permission in principle, the site must receive a grant of technical details consent before development can proceed if the development is between 1-9 houses, then the applicant may be eligible for “Permission in Principle”, which allows for the viability of a potential development to be assessed prior to the rest of the details being submitted. 

Full Planning Applications 

A full planning application is required when making detailed proposals for developments which are not covered by a householder application or permitted development rights. This is commonly the case for new buildings of any kind and any ‘commercial’ project. 

Planning Conditions 

Planning condition: A condition imposed on a grant of planning permission (in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) or a condition included in a Local Development Order or Neighbourhood Development Order. 

Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.  

Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken. 

Community Infrastructure Levy 

They are most widely used to support transport infrastructure improvements, although there are also examples of obligations being used to support training initiatives, environmental improvements and corporate objectives, as well as to mitigate the impact of development.