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ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

The New NPPF – One Month On

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Recent appeal decisions reveal how planning inspectors are interpreting and applying the newly published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), particularly regarding grey belt land and Policy S5(1)(j) for development outside settlements. These early determinations demonstrate varying approaches to addressing policy changes and their impact on housing delivery and planning balance considerations.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Sarah Sutherland
Sarah Sutherland
Matthew Tucker
Matthew Tucker

As the new NPPF applied as a material consideration from the date of its publication (subject to transitional provisions noted in our last update), we are now seeing appeal decisions published which refer to the new NPPF and grapple with its policies. 

We have highlighted three appeals below where Inspectors have directly referenced how they are addressing the new NPPF in their decisions.

  • Appeal ref 6005664: this decision dated 18 August 2026 was issued the day after the NPPF was published. At paragraph 4, the Inspector acknowledges this and sets out his view that there is no need to revert to the main parties on the new NPPF as the new policies for decision-making in it do not substantially alter the national policies in the previous NPPF in a way that would benefit the Council’s or any third party’s cases. The Inspector also states that policy references are to the new version. It is important to note that this approach will not be universal, as shown in the appeals below, as

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