12 Dec 2024 Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework announced: Food Active response
The National Planning Policy Framework was updated today, featuring welcome amendments on preventing hot food takeaways from opening where children learn and play, and increasing access to green space and sustainable transport.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is a key planning document that sets out the Government’s planning policies for land use in England. It provides the framework for local authorities to prepare their local plans for development and is material when making planning decisions.
A consultation to revise the framework was launched in July to consult with a range of stakeholders on a range of amendments to the framework, and closed in late September. Food Active, along with many of our national partners, responded to show our support for any amendments within the framework that recognises the untapped potential the planning system has in promoting positive public health outcomes. In our response, we shared some of our experiences of the current limitations of planning policy through several pieces of work including the nationally funded Healthier Place, Healthier Future childhood obesity trailblazer programme; the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Overweight and Obesity Project; and, feedback received from the Food Active local authority network, compromising of local authority healthy weight leads from within the North West and other regions of England.
Today, amendments to the NPPF based on the feedback received in this consultation have been published.
Specifically relating to Chapter 8 (promoting healthy and safe communities), we are pleased to see a new policy included which states local planning authorities should refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast-food outlets that are near where children congregate (unless in a designated town centre).
Chapter 9 also strengthens the opportunities to promote sustainable transport through the planning system; and considerations around transport should be consulted on with the local community in the early stages of development.
In addition, previously only required councils to “enable and support healthy lifestyles.” However, this new policy contains an explicit direction to ‘prioritise preventing ill-health’, giving councils responsibility and power to act in the best interests of their communities.
The update also sets out other relevant policies to the Department for Health and Social Care and health such as strengthened policies on strategic and neighbourhood health infrastructure, climate change, sustainable transport, child health and safety, affordable housing, and design.
Access the updated NPPF here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/675abd214cbda57cacd3476e/NPPF-December-2024.pdf
The NPPF comes into force from the day of publication for decision-making. For preparing local plans, the NPPF policies will apply from 12 March 2025.
Food Active Programme Lead, Nicola Calder, said:
“We welcome the reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework announced today, which strengthens the need to promote good health and tackle health inequalities when developing local planning policies.
These changes will ultimately give local authorities more power to make the case for promoting good health in any planning decisions and appeals, including refusing new hot food takeaways near where children congregate.
These reforms present an important step towards creating healthier places for our communities to live, work and play in.”
Katharine Jenner, Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, says:
“The government and the Chief Medical Officer for England have recognised that the food environment entrenches inequalities and promotes obesity, instead of promoting good health. This must change.
“We know that not all children are equally at risk—fast food outlets are disproportionately clustered in the most deprived parts of the country, where children are twice as likely to develop obesity by the time they leave primary school. These communities face up to five times more fast food outlets than wealthier areas, making healthy choices harder and widening health inequalities.
“Empowering local councils to create healthier food environments is crucial. Local leaders in areas like Gateshead are already showing exceptional leadership in tackling the harms of our broken food system. Their actions should inspire both local and national governments to follow suit.”
