Planning practice guidance
The National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning practice guidance.
The National Planning Policy Framework was published on 27 March 2012 and revised in 2018, 2019, 2021 and most recently 5 September 2023. It sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.
Download the full policy document.
Planning practice guidance categories
We have revised and updated planning practice guidance to make it accessible.
Other planning policies
Updates to this page
Last updated 14 February 2024 + show all updates
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Added Biodiversity net gain.
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Added Building Safety: Planning enforcement and the Responsible Actors Scheme (the ‘RAS Enforcement PPG’).
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Added Fire safety and high-rise residential buildings (from 1 August 2021)
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Added: First Homes
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Updated guidance on 'Design: process and tools'.
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added - Appropriate assessment, Effective use of land, Green Belt, Housing needs of different groups and Housing Supply and delivery
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Added Housing for older and disabled people
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Updated guidance on 'Neighbourhood planning' and 'Viability'.
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Added a link to a user feedback survey
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Added new guidance on 'Build to rent' and 'Plan-making'. Updated guidance on 'Housing need assessment', 'Housing and economic land availability assessment', 'Local Plans' and 'Neighbourhood Planning'.
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Added 'Housing Delivery Test measurement rule book'.
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Added guidance on 'Brownfield land registers' and 'Permission in principle'.
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First published.