National Planning

The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) in Whitehall is responsible for regulating planning and setting planning policy in England and Wales. The key theme is about sustainable development.

In particular, it issues the new National Planning Statements (NPS), twenty five Planning Policy Statements (PPS), and Planning Policy Guidance (PPG - which are being phased out). The PPSs are the key documents, which all planning authorities must adhere to, and cover the range of planning issues. The PPS list and a brief summary is included here.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), came into force on 1st March 2010. This 'independent' organisation will grant planning consent for new infrastructure deemed to be of national importance - power stations, airports, trunk roads and the like. It will take direction from the National Planning Statements.