On 20 July 2021 the Government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework). However, there were no transitional arrangements for Local Plans submitted after 24 January 2019 which meant that the policies in the Framework became ‘material considerations’ for local plans, such as the NLWP, with immediate effect from 20 July.
One of the tests of soundness for the NLWP and other local plans is ‘consistency with national policy’. With the publication of the Framework national policy had changed.
Given the late stage in the examination process for the NLWP, the Planning Inspector for the NLWP provided an opportunity for those who had already submitted a response to the consultation on the main modifications to the NLWP to submit further comments on the implications of the revised Framework. Any comments had to be restricted to the implications of the Framework on the NLWP. The Authority took this opportunity to provide some additional comments which were submitted in a letter on 11 August 2021:
