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To approve the Council’s submission of
the combined Gloucestershire Local Planning Authorities’
response and the Strategic and Local Plan authorities’
response to the Government’s National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF) consultation.

Reasons for the decision

The Government’s consultation on
proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework has
significant implications for Cheltenham Borough Council, both in
relation to its own planning policy responsibilities and through
its role in the wider Strategic and Local Plan (SLP) process. The
Gloucestershire local planning authorities’ joint response
supports the intention to simplify and streamline the planning
system, but makes clear that national policy must still provide
sufficient flexibility to respond to local circumstances. This is
particularly important in Gloucestershire, where development
decisions are shaped by a combination of landscape, heritage,
biodiversity, flood risk and infrastructure constraints. The
response also emphasises the need for effective strategic planning,
workable transitional arrangements, and the continued ability of
local planning authorities to set higher local standards where
justified, particularly in relation to climate mitigation,
adaptation, energy efficiency, design quality and nature
recovery.

The Strategic and Local Plan (SLP) affordable housing response
identifies further important implications for Cheltenham,
Gloucester and Tewkesbury. Whilst some aspects of the consultation
are welcomed, including clearer expectations around viability and
the use of review mechanisms, concern is raised that parts of the
proposed framework may weaken affordable housing delivery in
practice. In particular, the response highlights risks associated
with greater reliance on commuted sums or off-site provision in
place of on-site affordable housing, the proposed approach to
accessible and adaptable homes, and changes that could reduce
affordable housing contributions on medium-sized sites. The
response therefore stresses that on-site delivery should remain the
starting point wherever possible, as this best supports mixed and
balanced communities and helps address immediate housing
need.

Approving submission of these responses ensures that Cheltenham
Borough Council’s position is reflected within coordinated
countywide and Strategic and Local Plan representations to
Government. This helps influence the final form of the NPPF so that
it better supports sustainable development, protects local
discretion where supported by evidence, and provides a stronger
basis for delivering affordable homes, resilient infrastructure and
climate-responsive growth

Alternative options considered

Not to submit a response. This option was
rejected because it would prevent Cheltenham Borough
Council’s views from being represented within an important
national consultation and would weaken the co-ordinated
Gloucestershire and Strategic and Local Plan position.