The Government published a consultation on proposed updates to the NPPF on 16th December 2025. The consultation delivers a long-signalled commitment to introduce National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) and the ‘new plan-making system’, alongside a wider package of related changes. Taken together, the proposals would represent the most significant overall of the NPPF since its creation in 2012.
NDMPs are intended to remove the need for standard development management policies to be repeated in every local plan. The Government argues that this will reduce the length of Local Plans, shorten examinations, and avoid inconsistences between Local Planning Authorities on common policy issues.
Having opted not to pursue a statutory basis for NDMPs, the Government now proposes to incorporate them directly into the NPPF, giving them the status of a material consideration. Local Plan policies that conflict with NDMPs would be afforded ‘very little weight’. This implies a fundamental restructuring of the NPPF into a more ‘policy-style’ document, with a clearer distinction between local plan production and planning decision-making.
The consultation highlights 12 key changes:
Permanent Presumption in favour of suitably located development – introduces a rules-based approach making development on suitable urban land acceptable by default, alongside the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Building homes around railway stations – supports residential and mixed-use development around rail stations, with minimum densities of 40 dwellings per hectare within settlements and 50 dwellings per hectare for well connected stations outside settlements.
Driving urban and suburban densification – promotes higher-density development through redevelopment, upward extensions and infill, with minimum density expectations in well-connected areas.
Securing a diverse mix of homes – strengthens support for rural social and affordable housing, accessible housing for older and disabled people, and flexible unit mixes for market housing.
Supporting small and medium sites – introduces a new “medium development” category (10-49 units) with policy and regulatory easements to speed up development.
Streamlining local standards – restricts quantitative standards in local plans to cases where local variation is justified, avoiding duplication of Building Regulations.
Boosting local and regional economies – gives substantial weight to business growth, supports sectors such as logistics, AI Growth Zones, and seeks views on removing the Town Centre Sequential Test.
Supporting critical and growth minerals – safeguards access to critical minerals while restricting further coal extraction to support clean energy goals.
Embedding a vision-led approach to transport – moves away from the ‘predict and provide’ models towards sustainable, integrated transport planning.
Strengthening climate change policies – clarifies expectations for mitigation and adaptation, including sustainable transport, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
Conserving and enhancing the natural environment – aligns with Local Nature Recovery Strategies, emphasises landscape character, and introduces measures such as swift bricks and guidance on local important nature sites.
Taking a positive approach to heritage assets – replaces existing heritage policies with clearer and more enabling framework for heritage related development.
Consultation is open on the Government’s website until 10th March 2026. The ‘new plan-making system’ reflects measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act of 2023, supported by formal guidance published last month. The Government expects the reforms to deliver a faster and more streamlined approach to plan-making. Further changes are anticipated through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill coming forward this year, which will embed Spatial Development Strategies for the Mayoral Combined Authorities.
These reforms will have wide-ranging implications for developers, landowners, and promoters navigating the planning system. We work closely with clients to interpret emerging policy, assess site opportunities against new national requirements, and shape robust planning strategies that respond to a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
Whether you are preparing planning applications, or seeking to stay ahead of national policy change, we can help you navigate the reforms with confidence and clarity.