National Planning Policy Framework 2012

The National Planning Policy Framework 2012 sets out the Government's planning policies for England in achieving sustainable development and how these are expected to be applied. It sets out the requirements for the planning system only to the extent that it is relevant, proportionate and necessary to do so. It provides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities. This Framework does not contain specific policies for nationally significant projects for which particular considerations apply. Divided into thirteen chapters, with three annexes, it looks at the following areas, including: building a competitive economy; ensuring town centre vitality; supporting a high quality communications infrastructure; delivering high quality homes; protecting the Green Belt; meeting the challenges of climate change, flooding and coastal change; conserving the natural and historic environments and facilitating the sustainable use of minerals.