Government consults on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework

The Government has launched a public consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and wider changes to the planning system in England.

The consultation, published in December 2025, sets out a package of proposed amendments that the Government says are intended to support the delivery of new homes and infrastructure while streamlining the planning system.

The consultation is open until 10 March 2026.

A number of organisations across the planning, housing and local government sectors have begun to analyse the implications of the draft NPPF, including for plan-making, decision-taking and the role of local authorities in shaping development in their areas.

One proposal of particular relevance to nature recovery and environmental outcomes is the introduction of a 10% cap on uplifts by local authorities, which would limit their ability to go beyond nationally set requirements. This approach risks constraining councils that wish to show greater local ambition or respond to higher levels of need for nature recovery, biodiversity enhancement or environmental protection within their areas.

Early commentary from the planning and local government sector has highlighted the importance of ensuring that reforms to national policy do not undermine the ability of the planning system to deliver positive outcomes for nature alongside development.

CIEEM, as the professional body representing nearly 10,000 ecologists and environmental managers, will be looking more closely at the consultation in the New Year, including the potential implications for ecological practice, local nature recovery and the role of evidence in planning decisions.

Get involved

If you would like to be involved in helping to shape CIEEM’s response to the NPPF consultation, please get in touch with the Policy Team at policy@cieem.net. We are keen to hear from members with relevant experience and expertise to ensure the Institute’s response is informed by real-world practice.