Presumption in favour of sustainable development

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert
Practice notes

Presumption in favour of sustainable development

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert

Practice notes
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Policy context

The original version of the National Planning Policy Framework (2012 NPPF) was published on 27 March 2012, taking immediate effect. It consolidated over 1,000 pages of planning policy statements, guidance and circulars into one document. At the heart of the 2012 NPPF was the presumption in favour of Sustainable development.

In July 2018, the government published a revised NPPF and that was subject to minor changes made in a February 2019 version.

Further revisions were published on 20 July 2021, September 2023 and December 2023 (the 2023 NPPF).

The 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023 versions of the NPPF retain the presumption in favour of sustainable development, but with a change in emphasis and operation, as discussed in this Practice Note.

In July 2024, the government consulted on changes to the NPPF, which included changes to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as discussed further below (see ‘Proposed changes to presumption insofar as it affects decision-taking’). With a new version of the NPPF published in December 2024, which is the current version. See News Analysis:

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
Sustainable development definition
What does Sustainable development mean?

Sustainable development was defined in the World Commission on Environment and Development’s 1987 Brundtland report ´Our Common Future` as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. It seeks to reconcile economic development with the protection of social and environmental balance. In 2001, the EU adopted a strategy in favour of sustainable development, which was revised in 2006 and 2009. In 2009, the Commission highlighted the persistence of some unsustainable trends and the need for greater efforts in their regard but also the EU’s progress in mainstreaming sustainable development in many of its policies. Sustainable development formally became one of the EU’s long-term goals under Article 3 TEU.

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