Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Paragraph: 87
As previously stated, we welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing the National Planning Policy Framework...
Recommendation
As previously stated, we welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing the National Planning Policy Framework to make sure it contributes to climate mitigation, but we are concerned that in the meantime some councils will continue to grant planning permission to development that locks people into car dependency. In the short term, the Government should clarify the need for sustainable transport and placemaking to be embedded in all new development. In the longer term, it should amend the NPPF to require all housing development to be properly serviced by public transport and active travel networks and be within walking distance of local shops and amenities. As far as possible, all employment areas should also be served by public transport. To facilitate this, the Government should reiterate to 56 Local government and the path to net zero local councils the importance of having up-to-date Local Plans and, in line with our earlier recommendation, require councils to embed sustainability in those plans.
Paragraph Reference:
87
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government’s ambition is to deliver high-quality sustainable transport, accessibility, and inclusiveness through the planning system so we can drive sustainable patterns of development and enable walking, cycling and public transport to be the first choice for journeys. This is crucial to decarbonise our transport network by 2050. As we outline in our response to recommendation 7, the NPPF expects Local Plans to take account of climate change over the longer term. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that we already expect sustainable transport to be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, so that opportunities to promote cycling, walking and public transport are pursued. In July 2021, the Government published its Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which recognised the important role of the planning system in encouraging development that promotes a shift towards sustainable transport networks and the achievement of net zero transport systems. The planning reforms will provide an opportunity to consider how sustainable transport is planned for and, importantly, how it is delivered to support sustainable growth and drive more sustainable use of our existing built environment, e.g. planning for new development around existing transport hubs, for all developments to be easily and safely accessible and navigable by foot and cycle, and for existing cycling and walking provision to be improved. We made clear in the Planning White Paper our intention to amend the NPPF to ensure that the reformed planning system can most effectively play a role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The Government will also publish an updated version of Manual for Streets in 2022, which will demonstrate how the streets we rely on for travel can be better designed to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport as the first choice for journeys. Alongside this, the Government has already published a number of strategies that outline the Government’s ambitions to decarbonise our transport network and promote sustainable transport choices. In March 2021, the Government launched ‘Bus Back Better’, which sets out how we will deliver better bus services across England to improve access to those regions that are currently underserved by public transport. In 2021, the Government also launched ‘Gear Change’ - our vision to make England a great walking and cycling nation. The Government has committed £2 billion on quality walking and cycling infrastructure and is creating a new body, Active Travel England. One of Active Travel England’s functions will be as a statutory consultee within the planning system to press for adequate cycling and walking provision in all developments of over a certain threshold and provide expert advice on ways in which such provision can be improved.