Changes to planning rules must ensure that the rural economy can be allowed to prosper alongside a healthy natural environment, the NFU said today after an influential group of MPs launched its review of the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF).
The Communities and Local Government Committee has said that Government must make a number of changes to improve the NPPF and has also come up with its own definition of sustainability – one which said should treat economic, environmental and social success equally but goes on to stress that planning protects and enhances the environment.
The NFU believes this very definition contradicts itself and may pose potential problems to agricultural planning applications in the future which would reduce the industry’s efforts to increase capacity for food production.
NFU planning adviser Ivan Moss said: "Rural areas will require development to secure our long term food supplies as part of a prosperous rural economy. This can be achieved alongside a healthy natural environment. What is needed is a common sense approach.
"We were pleased with the draft consultation, and called for a number of specific improvements, and are fully supportive of the drive to promote sustainable development, which will be hugely important for farmers who need modern buildings in order to increase capacity for food production.
"The NPPF recognises importance of food production, but lacks necessary urgency to support increasing productivity."
