5 Jun 2026
New NPPF expected Summer 2026: What it could mean
New NPPF expected this summer: planning reform moves closer to delivery
The next version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is now moving from consultation into decision stage, with the Government expecting to publish an update in summer 2026.
For developers, landowners, local authorities and project teams, this is more than another policy refresh. The draft NPPF points towards a more structured, rules based planning system, with stronger support for suitable development in settlements, clearer plan making expectations, and new national decision making policies covering housing, climate, energy, infrastructure and land use.
The Government consultation opened on 16 December 2025 and closed on 10 March 2026. As of 4 June 2026, the Government has not yet published the outcome. However, official guidance on the new local plan making system says the Government anticipates completing its analysis and publishing an update in summer 2026.
A more direct presumption in favour of suitable development
One of the most important changes is the proposed reshaping of the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The draft framework proposes a stronger spatial approach, aiming to make suitable development within settlements more clearly acceptable in principle, subject to safeguards. This builds on the Government’s earlier brownfield first policy work, but goes wider than brownfield land alone.
For clients, the practical message is clear: site location, settlement relationship and policy fit are likely to become even more important at the earliest feasibility stage. Projects that can demonstrate a strong relationship with existing settlements, infrastructure and local needs may be better placed under the emerging framework.
Housing delivery remains central
The draft NPPF keeps housing delivery at the heart of national planning policy. It includes revised policies on assessing housing need, setting housing requirements, identifying land supply and supporting a wider mix of tenures.
There is also a stronger emphasis on social and affordable housing, including rural provision. For residential and mixed use schemes, this means viability, tenure mix and infrastructure strategy project teams will need to consider these issues early, rather than leaving them to late stage negotiations.
The draft also supports large scale residential and mixed use development where it can deliver a comprehensive approach, including infrastructure, design quality and a diverse housing offer.
Climate, energy and resilience move up the agenda
The proposed framework gives climate change a more defined role in both plan making and decision making. Draft policies cover mitigation, adaptation, reuse of existing buildings and materials, green infrastructure, carbon stores, energy efficiency and resilience to future climate risks.
The draft also gives greater attention to renewable and low carbon energy, electricity network infrastructure, and the need for plans to identify suitable areas where this would help delivery.
For project teams, this reinforces the importance of embedding climate strategy into the planning case. Energy efficiency, retrofit potential, sustainable transport, nature based solutions and adaptation to heat, flood and other climate risks are increasingly part of the planning argument, not separate technical extras.
Data centres and energy infrastructure are now part of the planning reform debate
The consultation also asks specific questions about data centres and onsite energy generation. Government documents highlight the need for more resilient UK data centre capacity, especially for AI related demand, and explore whether data centres and associated energy infrastructure should be able to move more flexibly between consenting routes.
This matters beyond the technology sector. Data centres, grid connections, onsite generation and energy networks all compete for land, infrastructure capacity and planning resource. For commercial, industrial and mixed use clients, these pressures may affect site selection, local infrastructure planning and the balance of opportunity in strategic locations.
Local plans are changing too
The NPPF update sits alongside the new local plan making system, which came into force on 25 March 2026. Government guidance encourages local planning authorities to start preparing plans under the new system and says some authorities must begin key plan making steps by 30 June 2026.
This could create a period of transition and uncertainty. Some areas will be working under emerging national policy, new local plan procedures and existing local plan evidence at the same time. Clients should check planning strategy against both current policy and the likely direction of travel.
What should clients do now?
The final NPPF may change before publication, so decisions should not be based on draft wording alone. However, the direction is clear enough to justify preparation.
Clients should review site pipelines against settlement location and brownfield status. Additionally, housing need, infrastructure capacity, climate resilience and likely local plan movement. For live projects, it may be worth checking whether planning statements, design and access material, viability evidence and sustainability narratives are ready to respond quickly once the final framework is published.
The anticipated new NPPF is not just a policy document for planners. It is likely to influence land value, programme risk, design priorities, infrastructure planning and the way development proposals are judged. Those who prepare early will be better placed to respond when the final framework lands.
Need advice on how the new NPPF could affect your site or project?
Whether you are promoting land, assessing development potential or preparing a planning application, our team can help you understand how emerging planning policy may influence your strategy. Get in touch to discuss your site and identify opportunities ahead of the final NPPF publication.
