Collection

Planning practice guidance

The National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning practice guidance.

Published 29 November 2016
Last updated 28 July 2017 — see all updates

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

The National Planning Policy Framework was published on 27 March 2012 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.

Download the full policy document.

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Planning practice guidance categories

We have revised and updated planning practice guidance to make it accessible.

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1. Advertisements

   • 6 March 2014
   • Guidance

2. Air quality

   • 6 March 2014
   • Guidance

3. Appeals

   • 3 March 2014
   • Guidance

4. Before submitting an application

   • 22 February 2018
   • Guidance

5. Brownfield land registers

   • 28 July 2017
   • Guidance

6. Climate change

   • 12 June 2014
   • Guidance

7. Community Infrastructure Levy

   • 22 March 2018
   • Guidance

8. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment

   • 22 February 2018
   • Guidance

9. Consultation and pre-decision matters

   • 28 July 2017
   • Guidance

10. Crown development

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

11. Design

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

12. Determining a planning application

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

13. Duty to cooperate

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

14. Ensuring effective enforcement

    • 22 February 2018
    • Guidance

15. Ensuring the vitality of town centres

    • 3 March 2014
    • Guidance

16. Environmental Impact Assessment

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

17. Fees for planning applications

    • 22 February 2018
    • Guidance

18. Flexible options for planning permissions

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

19. Flood risk and coastal change

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

20. Hazardous substances

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

21. Health and wellbeing

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

22. Housing and economic development needs assessments

    • 20 March 2015
    • Guidance

23. Housing and economic land availability assessment

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

24. Housing: optional technical standards

    • 27 March 2015
    • Guidance

25. Land affected by contamination

    • 12 June 2014
    • Guidance

26. Land stability

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

27. Lawful development certificates

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

28. Light pollution

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

29. Local Plans

    • 1 February 2018
    • Guidance

30. Making an application

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

31. Minerals

    • 17 October 2014
    • Guidance

32. Natural environment

    • 21 January 2016
    • Guidance

33. Neighbourhood planning

    • 22 February 2018
    • Guidance

34. Noise

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

35. Open space, sports and recreation facilities, public rights of way and local green space

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

36. Permission in principle

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

37. Planning obligations

    • 19 May 2016
    • Guidance

38. Renewable and low carbon energy

    • 18 June 2015
    • Guidance

39. Rural housing

    • 19 May 2016
    • Guidance

40. Self-build and custom housebuilding

    • 28 July 2017
    • Guidance

41. Starter Homes

    • 27 March 2015
    • Guidance

42. Strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal

    • 9 February 2015
    • Guidance

43. Transport evidence bases in plan making and decision taking

    • 13 March 2015
    • Guidance

44. Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and Statements

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

45. Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

46. Use of planning conditions

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

47. Viability

    • 6 March 2014
    • Guidance

48. Waste

    • 15 October 2015
    • Guidance

49. Water supply, wastewater and water quality

    • 23 March 2015
    • Guidance

50. When is permission required?

    • 22 February 2018
    • Guidance

Other planning policies

• Sustainable drainage systems policy
• Parking policy
• Starter Homes policy

1. National planning policy for waste

   • 16 October 2014
   • Policy paper

2. Planning policy for traveller sites

   • 31 August 2015
   • Policy paper

3. Planning for schools development: statement

   • 15 August 2011
   • Policy paper

Published 29 November 2016
Last updated 28 July 2017 + show all updates

1. 28 July 2017 Added guidance on 'Brownfield land registers' and 'Permission in principle'.
2. 29 November 2016 First published.