Three planning rule changes that are positive for cycling

England has new planning policies. And while we’re still a way off shaping cycle-friendly development like the Dutch do, there is a little cause for celebration. The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) brings better development for cycling a little bit closer to reality.

What is the NPPF?

The NPPF is the government’s overriding planning policy for England. It very broadly guides what sort of developments can take place and where.

It’s a set of principles and instructions used to guide individual decisions about whether planning permission should be granted or not, as well as a guide and rule book for new mayoral authorities and local planning authorities (typically your local council) on how to write their ‘spatial development strategies’ and ’local plans’, respectively.

In turn these set out what types of development should take place where, and how it’s all knitted together with the infrastructure to support it. All in all, it’s a very important document for how land in England is developed in the coming years.

With media coverage of the new policy largely focused on new rules around railway stations, the quieter news is that the UK government listened to some of our suggestions. We made these as part of the consultation on proposed changes earlier this year, along with a host of other organisations that are, like Cycling UK, part of the Better Planning Coalition.

Here are three reasons to be cheerful – and one note of caution.

More weight given to transport impacts

The new NPPF now gives more weight to transport impacts than it had previously. For those who review and decide on planning applications, this means the possibility of saying no to a development on transport grounds might have got a little easier.

If they consider that the development would have “severe adverse impact on the transport network … or an unacceptable impact on highway safety” they can refuse the application. This strengthens the hand of those seeking to guide development sustainably.

Combined with the positive wording on creating well-designed places, the new policies have a bit more carrot and stick for cycle-friendly development.

Sustainable transport gets a better definition

Trawling through the government’s earlier proposals we noted a slightly odd admission in the glossary: that the definition of sustainable transport included ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles.

Usually, sustainable transport means walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. These travel options are the most space efficient, cause little to no congestion, and emit orders of magnitude fewer pollutants per journey.

We pointed out their loose definition, given the focus on the efficient use of land. Thankfully the government listened.

Sustainable locations and sustainable street design upped

The government has also strengthened the wording on putting development in the right places and designing them with the right infrastructure. A new Connectivity Tool will help planners determine how well-connected and served a place is, and hence to better decide what developments could be appropriate.

Likewise, an excellent inclusion is a policy line which explicitly states that “a location should limit the need to travel, particularly by private car, and offer a genuine choice of transport modes…”.

This is welcome because it means that homes and other developments should be approved where travel by walking, cycling or public transport is within easy reach. And that the infrastructure to support sustainable travel, such as cycle tracks, paths and crossings are created.

New policies on street design focus on the need for “segregated cycle facilities that are adequately lit” as well making places which are “safe, inclusive and attractive … particularly for women and girls”. These new words are very welcome, echoing our long-standing ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign calls.

But planners play catch-up

The challenge in all of this, of course, is that planners are still playing catch-up.

Newer housing targets have put them on the back foot. Without a credible plan to meet these housing targets they are largely unable to refuse housing development – what the County Councils Network has called a ‘developer free for all’.

The lack of resources, too, in planning authorities means that a quick catch-up is not likely. With local government planning departments under resourced, embarking on a new local plan is a difficult and slow process.

All of which means that, despite the encouraging words found in the updated national planning policies, we’re likely to see a continued trend, quantified by the New Economics Foundation, of housing developments on green fields at the edges of towns in which residents are almost exclusively dependent on a car for their travel needs.

Cycling UK’s efforts to promote better planning policy in England, alongside our partners in the Better Planning Coalition, have secured some real wins for cycling in this round of changes to the NPPF. But the wider development sector still needs a major overhaul to make people-centred, cycle-friendly development the norm. And we’ll continue to make the case.

If you want to make a positive impact in your area, find out more about how Cycling UK can support you to speak up for cycling in England.