Housing

Housing

National Planning Policy Framework

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government’s national policy in England. First adopted in 2012, it has been replaced several times since with revised versions, most recently in December 2024. The NPPF recognises that to significantly boost the supply of homes, it is important that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay. The overall aim should be to meet as much of an area’s identified housing need as possible, including with an appropriate mix of housing types for the local community.

The NPPF states that to determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). In addition to the local housing need figure, any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring areas should also be taken into account in establishing the amount of housing to be planned for.

The size, type and tenure of housing needed

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