Consultation on planning reforms to ease farm building approvals welcomed by NFU

Changes to the Principle of Development mean that local planning authorities will now be expected to give a default ‘yes’ to agricultural developments in rural areas, except in exceptional circumstances. This is expected to reduce red tape, speed up applications and support investment in modern facilities, including those aimed at improving animal welfare standards. 

The reforms also reaffirm the government’s commitment to consult on Biodiversity Net Gain exemptions for smaller sites in the new year, while simplifying rules to make it cheaper and easier to deliver biodiverse habitats offsite. 

For farmers and growers, the practical impact of these reforms will be felt in reduced red tape and clearer guidance when bringing forward small-scale developments. Farmers and growers will be able to spend less time navigating complex planning rules and more time focusing on food production, investing in their businesses and supporting rural employment.  

This change should help small family farms remain competitive and resilient in the face of rising costs and regulatory pressures, meaning more ability for agriculture to play a key role in contributing to the nation’s economic growth, NFU explained. 

‘Significant step forward’ 

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said: “The government’s proposed consultation is a clear indication of its intent to modernise the planning system and make it work better for farming businesses.  

“We agree with Secretary of State Steve Reed that the current system is not working well enough and must change to allow our members’ businesses to grow and invest in the future.” 

Ms Hallos added that the changes to the Principle of Development would, if implemented, be a “significant step forward” in making planning simpler and more supportive of farming businesses. 

“Water access is also of utmost importance to many agricultural businesses – particularly those in the horticultural sector – and stronger support for reservoirs in the National Planning Policy Framework means farmers and growers are one step closer to securing reliable access to clean water, safeguarding the UK’s future food security. 

“Farmers remain committed to caring for the countryside and enhancing the natural environment. With simplified rules, the sector will continue to play a vital role in protecting biodiversity, maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health and safeguarding water quality.  

“These reforms help provide a fairer framework that allows them to balance environmental care with the urgent need to produce healthy, sustainable and affordable food for the nation,” Ms Hallos concluded. 

Rewrite of the National Planning Policy Framework

The UK government said that the new changes will help optimise land use through well-designed, higher-density development, simplified biodiversity rules for smaller sites, and fast-track good housing projects that meet national standards for energy efficiency.

A major consultation on planning reform has just been launched. The government said that the new measures will “pave the way for a stable, rules-based system where developments that meet clear standards can move quickly from plans to construction – the most significant rewrite of national planning policy in over a decade”.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said: “Right now we see a planning system that still isn’t working well enough. A system saying ‘no’ more often than it says ‘yes’ and that favours obstructing instead of building.”

READ MORE: Biodiversity Net Gain: What fast-tracked house building could mean for farmers

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