Our response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Friends of the Lake District has responded to the Government's consultation on an update for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  The NPPF is the set of policies which all local authorities have to work to when writing their plans and dealing with planning applications, so it is really important that we makes sure our landscape and environment are protected by national policy.

Unfortunately, it seems that there has been a weakening of protection for National Parks and AONBs along with a loss of recognition for Local Wildlife Sites.  We are also concerned that the NPPF does not adequately address climate change, sustainable transport and is not based on the UN's most up-to-date definition of sustainable development to which the UK has signed up.

You can find our response here. Friends_of_the_Lake_District_NPPF_response.pdf

RESPOND TO THE NPPF - HOW YOU CAN HELP

One of the proposed changes is the removal of the phrase "which have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty" in the paragraph about designated landscapes.

This might not seem like much but this simple phrase is an important element of the additional protections for places we all love so much.

You can comment on the consultation until 11.45pm 10th May 2018.