Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke welcomes National Planning Policy Framework

Maria Miller, local MP for Basingstoke has today welcomed the publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation.

A new, simpler framework for the planning system that safeguards the environment while meeting the need for sustainable growth has been published for consultation today by The Department for Communities and Local Government Planning.

National planning policy, which is the basis for every local plan and decision, has accumulated to over one thousand pages during the last decade. The Government in the Coalition Agreement committed to turning this thicket of national planning policy into a clear, tightly focused document, setting out national priorities and rules to just 52 pages of policy - as part of a consultation to get the planning system right for current and future generations

Maria said “At the moment the planning system does not fully account for environmental impact. This move focussing on sustainable development is a positive move to protect our environment for future generations.”

I would welcome representations from interested parties in Basingstoke on how it can be improved. The documents can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1951729 and a short summary at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/draftframeworksummary