The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England is due to be published today and embodies a presumption in favour of 'sustainable development'. What can we expect?

Well minister Greg Clark has said ''sustainable means ensuring that better lives for ourselves don't mean worse lives for future generations'' and that ''development means growth''.

So 'not much' would be my expectation.

Growth (in terms of money value and/or real utility) can be sustainable. It's consumption of finite resources, production of toxics and demands placed on finite eco-processes that aren't sustainable. That growth and that consumption are not inherently linked, even tho they have been more or less correlated so far.

I don't for a moment suppose that NPPF or any present govt policy even begins to do what it takes to break that correlation - yet. But it wd be so good to get it clear that it's not growth that has to be opposed, but consumption of finites.

With that clarity in mind, we cd at last shape some gd policies that bend with the wind, instead of brainlessly opposing a steamroller. To me, this is the fence at which the eco-movement falls.

Statement from Greg Clark - http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/planningandbuilding/2115446

I had a look at the bit on wind farms and it references the “National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure” which in turn mentions the Companion to PPS22 and ETSU-R-97 so no real change there I think.

However para 98 is interesting:

98. When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should:

●not require applicants for energy development to demonstrate the overall need for renewable or low carbon energy and also recognise that even small-scale projects provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions; and

●approve the application if its impacts are (or can be made) acceptable. Once suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy have been identified in plans, local planning authorities should also expect subsequent applications for commercial scale projects outside these areas to demonstrate that the proposed location meets the criteria used in identifying suitable areas.

--
That very last line is going to be examined carefully.

They mean outside the geographical area(s) identified in the local plan as "suitable for renewable and low carbon energy" (aka power stations).

Councils aren't allowed to say other areas are unsuitable. However if a developer wants to build one outside a predesignated area they have to show their site meets the same selection criteria. That shouldn't be a problem though because (as I said earlier) the selection criteria will have to comply with National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3).

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/other/9780108510793/9780108510793.pdf

RIBA's take on the NPPF http://bit.ly/GVvPiw

It does for me. Perhaps you need a new Firefox

Fine. Thanks again Ted.