Response to revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (12 December 2024)

Daniel Black, Director for TRUUD, an interdisciplinary urban development research programme aimed at improving public health, led by University of Bristol said in response to revised planning policies published today (Thursday 12 December) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

“It’s great to see the Government taking action today to address issues of affordability and housing provision, and the £100m additional cash for council’s planning officers is particularly welcome. The boost to local authority finances will help them engage more effectively in the planning and decision-making. Our research shows that under-resourcing of local authorities is a barrier for both the public and private sector for healthier urban planning.

“However, the announcement today continues an overwhelming focus on housing numbers and targets, and the almost complete lack of focus on the quality of that development, which our research strongly suggests will result in worse health outcomes in the future. We have a housing delivery system that is highly institutionalised towards delivering car-dominated, low density housing, the vast majority of which are located far from public transport. This will result, especially in the piecemeal and disconnected grey belt sites, with greater levels of car-use, more air pollution in cities – even electric vehicles produce heavy particulates from break dust – and certainly more physical inactivity and community severance.

“This is a deep rooted and complex area and there is no silver bullet. We do need housing, but this could be via far greater densification of cities, for example, which also suffer from excessive car use. So alongside this drive for housing numbers, the Government needs to both raise quality up alongside, and start to look seriously at how to adjust the housing delivery and transport systems in the UK so they ensure long-term health and resilience.”