Planning

National Planning Policy Framework

Published in March 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) slimmed national planning guidance into a document of fewer than 60 pages, with its centerpiece being a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’.

This NPPF does not contain specific waste policies, since national waste planning policy will be outlined as part of the National Waste Management Plan for England, expected to be published soon by DCLG.

Sustainability is defined as having an economic, social and environmental dimension. In practice this means that:

For plan-making,

  • Local planning authorities should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area;
  • Local plans should meet objectively assessed needs, with sufficient flexibility to adapt to rapid change, unless: any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.

For decision-taking it means:

  • Approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and
  • Where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out-of-date, granting permission unless: any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.

AD projects in general appear to comply perfectly with the definition of ‘sustainable development’ offered in the NPPF. It is too early to yet analyse if the new regulation is having this effect, but given the role that AD can play in supporting sustainable agriculture, transport and economic growth AD’s role in contributing to sustainable development is clear. Permitted development rights allow development to take place without the need for planning permission. The government introduced two new regulations under the Town and Country Planning Act in April 2012, offering permitted development rights for flues on non-domestic premises and for structures to house AD systems installed on agricultural and forestry units.

Localism

The Localism Act was passed in November 2011, also ingraining ‘sustainable development’ into the planning system. Localism aims to give local communities greater involvement in decisions in their area. Assuming AD operators engage with local communities at an early stage and effectively communicate the benefits of their project, this may ease the passage of projects through the planning process.