NPPF Consultation: Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning systems   

Solar Energy UK responded to the Governments review of the Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system.  

In our consultation responses, we outlined key planning challenges that the new UK government should seek to address in this consultation.  

Our recommendations included:  

• Greater alignment between planning policy documents; specifically, between the NPPF and NPS EN-1/EN-3. 

• Definition is required to determine the prioritisation of ‘significant’ and ‘substantial’. The current definition in EN-1 puts substantial above significant, which means that the current Green Belt wording would be stronger in the planning balance than the weight given to renewables. We request that substantial is afforded to both, and significant is removed. 

• Categorisation of renewable energy as appropriate development in the Green Belt in the same way as other locationally driven development, for example mineral extraction, as currently defined in paragraph 155 of the NPPF. 

• Ensure that planning process timelines and fees are proportionate with the scale, significance, and impact of the projects. 

• Increased efficiency and resourcing across the planning system (Local Planning Authorities (LPA), PINS, Statutory Consultees).  

• The solar industry would be open to exploring raising the threshold to 150MW, as suggested in the consultation. However, there are a range of views within the industry, and we would welcome further engagement between Government and industry on this proposal. The key priority, whatever the threshold, must be to upskill and fully resource the planning system at all levels, as a prerequisite to improving the efficiency and proportionality of the regime.   

• Ring fence planning fees from solar planning applications for development control/development management services (i.e. determining applications) and not used to cross subsidise other services. 

• Include specific policy wording within the NPPF to support the expansion of battery storage, either as standalone projects or co-located with solar projects.  

• Align planning policy with the upcoming SSEP and RESP to support the acceleration of energy generation and network transmission and distribution projects. 

Further to these there are some more detailed points which would greatly help advance the swift deployment of solar through the planning process to help the UK meet its legally binding net zero targets. We outline these recommendations in our full response below. 

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This consultation response was published in September 2024.