Have your say on the future of the countryside and respond to the NPPF

The government’s planning consultation is open now. We mentioned in our January e-newsletter that the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government has published a draft revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the 12-week consultation period closes on 10th March.

The National Planning Policy Framework shapes what gets built, where, and how our landscapes are protected.

Responding can feel technical, so National CPRE has done most of the hard work for you — with key questions, suggested answers and tips to personalise your response. It only takes a few minutes, but it helps show decision-makers how strongly people feel about protecting the places we love.

Dorset CPRE’s Planning Group responded to selected consultation questions including Chapter 4 (Achieving sustainable development), Chapters 10 (Securing clean energy and water), Chapter 18 (Managing Flood Risk) and Chapter 19 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) and those relating to viability assessments. View Dorset CPRE’s final response to the 2025 proposed reforms to the NPPF consultation and other changes to the planning system submitted on 10th March 2026.

Draft Policy S5 J gives excessive weight to unmet ‘five year housing land supply’
Of concern is Policy S5 J which creates a presumption in favour of development for proposals outside settlement boundaries where authorities are unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply. A great many rural local authorities are unable to meet their new housing targets resulting from the revised Standard Method formula and will fail the housing delivery test leaving them at the mercy of policy S5 J. Dorset Council has seen its housing target rise from 1793 homes per annum to 3246 and now has a 2.53 year housing land supply.

Respond to NPPF Consultation