A leading barristers’ chambers has hosted a podcast on the Government’s new planning rulebook which is dividing industry opinions.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), released this summer following a public consultation, aims to deliver 300,000 new homes per year by 2020.

The podcast hosted by Kings Chambers is the second in the Kings Chambers Planning Podcast series and brings together a panel of industry experts including representatives from Barratt Developments, Kings Chambers and Terence O’Rourke.  The podcast was hosted by planning barrister Philip Robson, of Kings Chambers.

Each of the panel gave their opinion during the frank discussion, with varying levels of support for the reforms.

Paul G Tucker QC, at Kings Chambers, said:

“The revised NPPF introduces further important changes to national planning policy, and it re-emphasises the Government’s commitment to an urgent need to deliver more homes. Its impact on proposed plans and plans currently in development, should not be underestimated.  The devil is very much in the detail and there are an important number of changes tucked away within its 70 odd pages.”

Philip Barnes, group land and planning director at Barratt Developments plc, said:

“The changes to the NPPF were largely positive for housebuilders and as the country’s largest we were broadly happy with them. Whilst we await the new HDT in November with a lot of interest, anything which helps us deliver more high-quality homes where they are needed is to be welcomed. The improved clarity throughout the policy should also hopefully lead to less litigation and fewer appeals – something we can all be happy about.”

Jacqueline Mulliner, Head of National Planning at Terence O’Rourke, said:

“Whilst many people understand that housing and economic growth is needed and beneficial, property development is often very contentious. This is why the national position is so important both in framing how we promote schemes towards planning success and how developers, planners, architects, lawyers, the local community and other stakeholders need to work together to create quality-built environments.”

Speaking on the podcast are:

• Jacqueline Mulliner, Head of National Planning – Terence O’Rourke.
• Philip Barnes, Group Land and Planning Director – Barratt Developments plc.
• Paul G Tucker QC, Deputy Head Chambers, Head of the Planning and Environment Group – Kings Chambers.
• Philip Robson, Barrister – Kings Chambers

The podcast covers the key changes to policy and the impact on upcoming development, including the likely arguments that will come before planning committees, inquiries and in the courts.

To hear the full discussion, go to https://www.buzzsprout.com/179951/794379-kings-chambers-podcast-episode-2-nppf-2