Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 09 SEPTEMBER 2026

Planning Policy Gets Major Update With New NPPF

Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Contributor
Thrings LLP

Thrings LLP

Thrings is an independent, award-winning law firm with more than three centuries of legal heritage...

View firm profile
Explore more from Thrings LLP

The UK government has introduced the most significant overhaul of national planning policy in decades through a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), fundamentally shifting the balance towards sustainable development and housing delivery. While the changes create stronger presumptions in favour of appropriately located development—particularly near transport hubs and on grey belt land—they maintain...

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Fred Quartermain
Fred Quartermain

The biggest rewrite of national planning policy in decades has landed with a big focus on housing delivery.

Set to shape almost every planning decision from now on, the headline for the long-awaited new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is to tilt the system further towards sustainable development.

But while the news will be positive for developers, it isn't a free-for-all, so don’t assume permission just got easier everywhere.

Fred Quartermain, Partner in our Planning and Environment team, dives into the major changes and what matters about what is staying the same.

A stronger steer towards "yes"

The old "tilted balance" mechanism that nudged decisions towards approval when a council couldn't show enough housing land has been replaced with something more permanent and explicit – including new national decision-making policies which set out clearly which types of development should be supported, and where.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Renters’ Rights Act Update: Key Developments For Landlords

The UK Government has unveiled the next phase of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, introducing a mandatory private rented sector database launching December 2026 and transferring rent increase dispute resolution from tribunals to the Valuation Office Agency. These reforms will fundamentally reshape compliance obligations for landlords across England, requiring registration of all rental properties with annual fees and updated enforcement mechanisms.
GlobalReal Estate and Construction
Bates Wells
Bates Wells
Article

Selling A Tenanted Property: How Ground 1A Works Under The Renters’ Rights Act

Section 21 has been abolished for new possession action from 1 May 2026, but landlords who need to sell with vacant possession still have a route. Ground 1A of the amended Housing Act 1988 allows a landlord to recover possession where a genuine sale is intended, but it comes with a four-month notice period, restrictions on reletting and remarketing, and potentially significant penalties for misuse.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Barnes Law
Barnes Law
Article

The Proposed Heathrow Third Runway: What Residents Need To Know About Property Impacts, Compensation And Reform

The prospect of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has resurfaced, bringing uncertainty to communities across West London and the Thames Valley about homes, property values and future planning. This guide examines how the compensation framework operates for affected homeowners, identifies critical gaps in protection during the years between policy approval and construction, and explains why reform is needed to address the human and financial costs of prolonged infrastructure uncertainty.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Hugh James
Hugh James
Article

The Renters' Rights Act Private Rented Sector Database Is On The Way: What Landlords Need To Know

The UK Government has announced the second phase of the Renters' Rights Act, introducing a mandatory Private Rented Sector Database that will roll out region-by-region starting in the West Midlands in December 2026. Landlords across England will face registration requirements, annual fees of £65 per property, and potential penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance, fundamentally changing how the private rental sector operates.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Blacks
Blacks
Article

Renters' Rights Act 2025: What The Latest Government Announcement Means For You

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces sweeping changes to the UK rental market, including a mandatory national property registration system and a new process for handling rent disputes. Landlords face strict deadlines and significant penalties for non-compliance, while the government promises faster resolution of tenant challenges to rent increases.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Article

The PRS Database Is Coming: What Landlords And Investors Need To Know

The UK Government has confirmed the operational framework for its new national rental property registration service, requiring landlords to register eligible private rented sector properties across England from December 2026. With registration costs of £65 per property annually and strict compliance deadlines varying by region, institutional investors and portfolio operators face significant data management and governance challenges. The rollout introduces ongoing reporting obligations that extend far
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

NPPF 2026: What It Means For SME Developers

The new National Planning Policy Framework represents the most significant overhaul of England's planning system in a generation, introducing a pro-growth agenda that fundamentally reshapes how development proposals are assessed. From enhanced presumptions in favour of development to new rules for station-proximate sites and grey belt land, these changes create both opportunities and challenges for developers navigating the approval process.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

NPPF 2026: The Planning Policy Changes That Back Farmers And Landowners

The UK's new National Planning Policy Framework represents the most significant overhaul of planning policy in decades, introducing streamlined rules and stronger support for rural landowners seeking to modernise farms, diversify operations, or develop their land. From explicit presumptions in favour of agricultural development to enhanced protections for water infrastructure and expanded green belt permissions...
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

New Section 106 Template Proposals For Medium-sized Developments

The UK government has launched a consultation on standardised section 106 agreement templates for medium-sized housing developments of 10 to 49 homes, aiming to streamline negotiations and reduce delays in the planning process. These proposed changes, supported by new National Planning Policy Framework guidance, could significantly impact how developers, local authorities, and housing providers approach affordable housing delivery and planning obligations.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

What The New Trade Union Duties Means For Employers

Employers across all sectors now face two significant new trade union obligations under the Employment Rights Act 2025, regardless of whether unions have previously operated in their workplace. With trade union membership rising to 22.4% of the UK workforce and new duties taking effect in October 2026, businesses must prepare to inform workers of their union rights and potentially grant union access to their premises.
United KingdomEmployment and HR
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

Court Of Appeal Narrows ‘box-shifting’ Loophole On Empty Property Rates

A recent Court of Appeal ruling has significantly narrowed the 'box-shifting' loophole that landlords have used to reduce business rates on empty commercial properties. The judgment in City of London Corporation v 48th Street Holdings Ltd challenges artificial occupation arrangements, potentially creating financial difficulties for landlords who have relied on these schemes.
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

Nuisance And Negligence: When A Neighbour's Farming Business Becomes Your Problem

When a neighbour's farming business diversifies into new activities like falcon breeding or scaffolding operations, can the resulting noise, smell or disturbance lead to legal liability? A recent Court of Appeal case reveals the crucial distinction between nuisance and negligence claims, and why planning permission alone won't protect rural businesses from costly disputes with their neighbours.
United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

Quillan: Why Unrecovered ‘director Loans’ Can Still Mean An Unexpected Tax Bill For Directors

A recent Upper Tribunal decision confirms that directors of close companies can face unexpected personal tax liabilities when their overdrawn loan accounts are deemed 'written off' by liquidators, even without formal release documentation. The case of HMRC v Gary Quillan demonstrates how a liquidator's statement that no further recovery is expected can trigger immediate income tax charges on directors, regardless of whether the debt remains technically payable.
United KingdomTax
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

Farmers Weekly Business Clinic: Partnerships, Trusts And The Next Generation

A family farming business in Cumbria seeks guidance on structuring partnerships and discretionary trusts to balance the needs of their farming son who will inherit the 32-hectare operation with ensuring fair treatment of their two non-farming daughters. The advice explores how discretionary trusts can provide flexibility for succession planning while addressing the practical challenges of raising capital and managing competing family interests.
United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP
Article

When Investor Interest Turns Into Doubt – A Case Study

When a sustainability data platform attracted venture capital interest, the founders believed their growth trajectory spoke for itself. But as due diligence uncovered gaps in share structure, unsigned contracts, and unassigned intellectual property, what seemed like a straightforward investment began to unravel. This case study examines how hidden operational issues can transform investor confidence into doubt...
United KingdomCorporate/Commercial Law
Thrings LLP
Thrings LLP