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England: Consultation on replacement NPPF—elevated national decision‑making policies, presumption recast, housing densification near stations, Green Belt/‘grey belt’ rules, standardised viability and contributions, data centres and clean energy.

Published on: 16 December 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert
Legal News
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Article summary

A fresh consultation on revisions to the NPPF and associated planning reforms was issued on 16 December 2025 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Entitled ‘National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system’, it invites feedback on a draft replacement NPPF, together with a package of measures covering:

  • data centres and on-site energy generation
  • standardised viability inputs
  • site thresholds

The consultation runs until 11:45pm on 10 March 2026 and applies to England only. Further, more granular commentary on particular elements will be provided in due course, including detailed analysis of specific parts.

What is the background to the consultation?

The NPPF first appeared in 2012 and has undergone multiple revisions. The Labour government issued a refreshed NPPF in December 2024 after consulting on a set of proposed amendments over the summer. That 2024 update reinstated mandatory housing targets, unveiled a new standard method for assessing local housing need, introduced the ‘grey belt’ within the Green Belt, and bolstered national policy backing for economic growth and clean energy. Ministers now characterise the December 2025 consultation as a broader and more conclusive refresh of national planning policy...

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