Policies and Guidance: CP01 Presumption in favour of sustainable development

The Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development is a central principle within the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It aims to ensure that development plans and decisions proactively contribute to achieving sustainable development, balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives.1

Key Aspects:

  1. Plan-Making: Local plans should meet development needs, align growth with infrastructure, improve the environment, and address climate change.​2
  2. Decision-Taking: Approving proposals that align with up-to-date plans without delay. If relevant policies are absent or outdated, permission should be granted unless adverse impacts significantly outweigh benefits.​3

The NPPF emphasizes that this presumption doesn’t override the statutory status of the development plan. Decisions should align with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 4

  1. https://www.humphreys.co.uk/articles/presumption-in-favour-of-sustainable-development/ ↩︎
  2. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/2-achieving-sustainable-development? ↩︎
  3. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/2-achieving-sustainable-development? ↩︎
  4. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/2-achieving-sustainable-development?,https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/appeal-court-confirms-scope-of-presumption-in-favour-of-sustainable-development?, https://www.blandy.co.uk/about/news-and-insights/insights/court-of-appeal-clarifies-presumption-in-favour-of-sustainable-development? , https://www.howespercival.com/articles/what-does-the-presumption-in-favour-of-sustainable-development-mean/? ↩︎