Proposed planning changes FAQs

We've been asked a lot of questions since we started this campaign. On this page you'll find answers to the questions we are most frequently asked about the proposed changes and our campaign against them.

  • The Government says the Green Belt is protected – isn’t that enough?

    Our primary concern is what the government’s reforms threaten to do to the everyday places in and around cities, towns and villages that are hugely valued by local communities. It’s not enough to retain protection for the one-third of the country that already enjoys special status (as green belt or national park).

  • What does the ‘presumption in favour’ element of the reform mean?

    The presumption in favour of sustainable development is intended to simplify things while guaranteeing certain minimum protections for the environment. But the danger is that the default answer will be ‘yes’, even to bad developments.

  • England needs houses – why stand in its way?

    No one disputes that England needs more homes or that the planning system should deliver them. The main impediment to house building has not been planning, which now approves some 80% of housing proposals, but finance. Weakening the planning system won't resolve any of these problems.

  • The Government is saying the reforms are good for sustainable development and local communities – are they lying?

    Despite the warm rhetoric from Government, financial considerations dominate these reforms. With this comes huge risk to our countryside, historic environment and the precious local places that people value. According to the planning framework all development is sustainable, and all sustainable development must be approved.

  • So what is the right kind of development?

    The right development combines social, environmental and economic benefits. We’ve done this kind of development ourselves – for example at Stamford Brook in Cheshire.

  • Are you promoting a nation of NIMBYs?

    Local communities have a right to have their say on developments in their local area. It’s too simple to say that this is always NIMBYYism, governed purely by self interest. NIMBYism often involves the passionate defence of cherished local places.

  • Aren’t the Government saying local people will get a say?

    The Government has been making warm noises about local communities having a say, but in reality the reform makes it clear that the dice are heavily loaded in favour of development. The danger must be that in reality local people won’t get enough say, and are denied the chance to say ‘no’.

  • Won’t these reforms speed up the planning process?

    There is a risk that the proposed draft policy will create more uncertainty, leading to more appeals and court cases.

  • What about my local plan – won’t that protect my area from development?

    The policy depends on the existence of effective local plans. If there is no up-to-date development plan, planning applications will be judged according to the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Yet only some local authorities have development plans (‘core strategies’) in place and many local authorities do not have the resources and specialist skills to create plans that genuinely integrate social, environmental and economic considerations.

  • Will the Trust support my local planning issue?

    As a charity that is independent of Government we have to place our resources where they will bring most benefit.  For this reason our primary focus in addressing the proposed planning reforms is at a national level. Our limited resources do not enable us to respond to specific planning challenges away from those on the land in our care.  We do hope, however, that our intervention at the national level will have benefits that will be felt by local communities throughout the country. We are working hard to ensure that local communities continue to have a strong voice in local planning decision and would welcome your signatures on our petition.

  • What are you proposing as an alternative to the reforms?

    There is always room for sensible reform – but the Government’s proposals go too far and throw the baby out with the bathwater. The town and country planning system, as a whole, has served the country well. It has enabled growth by guiding development to the places that need it, while protecting open countryside, preventing sprawl and safeguarding designated areas and historic buildings.Development that works must pass a triple bottom line test – by showing that it meets the needs of people and the environment as well as the economy.

  • Isn’t this rather political for the National Trust. Aren’t you supposed to be an a-political organisation?

    As a charity we are completely a-political and will not get involved in party political games. This is not a smear campaign. Rather, our primary concern is what the reforms threaten to do to the everyday places in and around cities, towns and villages that local communities love and cherish.

  • The National Trust has sold off land / developed - isn't it hypocritical to oppose development?

    We're not opposed to development - we just don't think it should come at any cost. The existing planning system has, through an open and democratic process, guided development to where it is needed. The government is changing this to make development into a tool to promote economic growth in stead. This risks urban sprawl on a scale not seen since the 1930s - and that is what we are opposed to.

  • What can I do to tell make the Government rethink this reform?

    You have until the 17 October to have your say. So add your voice to the petition to let the Government know that planning is for people.