National Planning Policy Framework

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was first published on 27 March 2012 and updated on 24 July 2018, 19 February 2019, 20 July 2021 and 5 September 2023. This sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.

• 1. Introduction

  Paragraphs 1 to 6

• 2. Achieving sustainable development

  Paragraphs 7 to 14

• 3. Plan-making

  Paragraphs 15 to 37

• 4. Decision-making

  Paragraphs 38 to 59

• 5. Delivering a sufficient supply of homes

  Paragraphs 60 to 80

• 6. Building a strong, competitive economy

  Paragraphs 81 to 85

• 7. Ensuring the vitality of town centres

  Paragraphs 86 to 91

• 8. Promoting healthy and safe communities

  Paragraphs 92 to 103

• 9. Promoting sustainable transport

  Paragraphs 104 to 113

• 10. Supporting high quality communications infrastructure

  Paragraphs 114 to 118

• 11. Making effective use of land

  Paragraphs 119 to 125

• 12. Achieving well-designed places

  Paragraphs 126 to 136

• 13. Protecting Green Belt land

  Paragraphs 137 to 151

• 14. Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change

  Paragraphs 152 to 173

• 15. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment

  Paragraphs 174 to 188

• 16. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment

  Paragraphs 189 to 208

• 17. Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals

  Paragraphs 209 to 217

• Annex 1: Implementation

  Implementing the National Planning Policy Framework.

• Annex 2: Glossary

  Glossary of terms used in this manual.

• Annex 3: Flood risk vulnerability classification

  Information on flood risk vulnerability classification.