National planning policy and air quality Peter Ellis, Deputy Head of Planning - Infrastructure and Environment Division

2 National Planning Policy Positive planning in favour of sustainable development Greater democratic and local control Greater simplicity and effectiveness

3 National Planning Policy Framework Planning and air quality: preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of air pollution ensuring new development is appropriate for its location taking into account effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, the natural environment or general amenity

4 National Planning Policy Framework Planning and air quality: planning policies should sustain compliance with and contribute towards EU limit values or national objectives for pollutants planning decisions should ensure that any new development in Air Quality Management Areas is consistent with the local air quality action plan

5 Review of planning practice guidance Lord Taylor’s External Review of Planning Practice Guidance began work in October 2011 Review reported in December 2012 and made 18 recommendations ….. ….new guidance suite should be up-to-date, coherent and easily accessible, provide essential information and exclude best-practice/case study material Following public consultation, Government accepted majority of recommendations DCLG worked closely with other departments that co- owned/co-badged planning guidance

6 From five times longer than Tolstoy’s War and Peace to … *actual planning guidance

7 Next steps for the guidance After Beta-stage: Finalised guidance to ‘go live’ later this year following consideration of feedback collected during Beta Existing guidance replaced by new material to be cancelled at this point Some further work still to be done e.g. revised guidance on Compulsory Purchase Orders Longer term: Annual reviews of content to ensure it remains current and relevant – this does not mean that all content will change every year Capacity for continuous feedback from users

8 Planning practice guidance

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10 Planning practice guidance

11 Planning practice guidance Air quality: role of local and neighbourhood plans

12 Planning practice guidance When air quality could be relevant to a planning decision

13 Planning practice guidance Where to start if bringing forward a proposal where air quality could be a concern

14 Planning practice guidance Air quality: mitigating impacts

15 Any questions?