National Planning Policy Framework
The revised National Planning Policy Framework sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The National Planning Policy Framework was revised in response to the Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the Planning system consultation on 12 December 2024 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
This version of the National Planning Policy Framework was amended on 7 February 2025 to correct cross-references from footnotes 7 and 8, and amend the end of the first sentence of paragraph 155 to make its intent clear. For the avoidance of doubt the amendment to paragraph 155 is not intended to constitute a change to the policy set out in the Framework as published on 12 December 2024.
This revised framework replaces the previous Nation Planning Policy Framework published in March 2012, revised in July 2018, updated in February 2012, revised in July 2021, updated in September 2023 and revised in December 2023.
The online searchable version of the revised National Planning Policy Framework is also available.
The planning practice guidance to support the framework is published online.
The archived National Planning Policy Framework published in 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023 can be accessed at the following:
Updates to this page
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This version of the National Planning Policy Framework was amended on 7 February 2025 to correct cross-references from footnotes 7 and 8, and amend the end of the first sentence of paragraph 155 to make its intent clear. For the avoidance of doubt the amendment to paragraph 155 is not intended to constitute a change to the policy set out in the Framework as published on 12 December 2024.
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Framework revised in response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation.
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Paragraph 14b has been amended to remove text that was not intended to be included in the published version on 19 December. The text removed read: where that requirement has been identified within five years or less of the date on which the decision is made.
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Framework revised in response to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy consultation.
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On 5 September 2023 the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued a Written Ministerial Statement to update policy on planning for onshore wind development in England. This included: amending paragraph 155 to add the words ‘their future re-powering and life extension’; amending paragraph 155a to align the text with new footnote 53a; adding a new paragraph at 158c to add weight to the way in which the value of existing sites are recognised; adding a new footnote at 53a to clarify how wind energy development can be granted; and amending footnote 54 to add the word ‘life-extension’ and to also clarify how wind energy development can be granted, aligning it with the text at new footnote at 53a.
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Revised National Planning Policy Framework 20 July 2021
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On 23 May 2019 the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a Written Ministerial Statement to remove paragraph 209a from the revised National Planning Policy Framework following a legal judgement. To this effect, the paragraph has been removed, and a correction slip has been inserted at the end of the document.
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Added updated National Planning Policy Framework.
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Added revised National Planning Policy Framework.
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First published.