The Government published a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 17 August 2026. It changes how planning applications are considered and how future Local and Neighbourhood Plans must be prepared.

This comes as both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester are developing new Local Plans, as outlined in CCA’s recent updates for Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

There is no need for councils to respond to every change immediately. Both Local Plans are at an early stage and there will be further opportunities to comment as policies, evidence and potential sites emerge.

What has changed?

Existing Local and Neighbourhood Plans remain part of the statutory development plan. However, the new national decision-making policies apply immediately. Existing local policies which are materially inconsistent with them may be given less weight, although policies do not become out of date simply because of their age.

The NPPF provides greater support for development within defined settlements. Outside settlements, it also supports certain forms of development, including the reuse of buildings, previously developed land, rural exception housing, community-led development and “limited infilling within groups of houses”.

This may be relevant to linear villages and hamlets. The NPPF does not define “limited infilling” or a “group of houses”, so local interpretation will be important. Councils may wish to consider how genuine infill should be distinguished from the outward extension of ribbon development and how important gaps should be protected.

This does not mean every gap will be suitable for housing. Design, landscape, ecology, heritage, highways, drainage and infrastructure will remain relevant. Separate policies also apply to Green Belt land.

Housing supply pressures

The NPPF continues to require planning authorities to maintain a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.

Cheshire East’s latest assessment identifies a 3.3-year supply. Cheshire West and Chester has also confirmed that it cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply.

Where there is a shortfall, proposals outside settlement boundaries may receive greater support if they are well-related to a settlement and are of a scale that local infrastructure can accommodate. This does not mean every proposal must be approved, but clear local evidence about infrastructure, services, landscape and cumulative development will be important.

What does this mean for Neighbourhood Plans?

Neighbourhood Plans remain an important way to influence housing sites, design, settlement boundaries, community facilities, green spaces and heritage.

The new NPPF provides additional protection against conflicting housing proposals where a Neighbourhood Plan is five years old or less and contains allocations meeting its identified housing requirement. Plans that do not meet both conditions remain part of the development plan, but do not benefit from this particular safeguard.

Councils do not need to start an immediate review solely because the NPPF has changed. A sensible first step is to check the plan’s age, evidence and allocations and discuss its position with the local planning authority.

In Cheshire West and Chester, indicative housing figures are currently available only for Neighbourhood Plan areas covering Key Service Centres and Local Service Centres. The Council is not proposing to provide figures at this stage for the main urban areas or smaller rural settlements. Eligible groups can request a figure from neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Housing needs and community facilities

The NPPF supports a greater range of small and medium-sized housing sites and gives weight to homes that meet evidenced needs, including affordable housing, smaller and accessible homes and accommodation for older people.

Rural exception housing should be supported by a Housing Needs Survey or suitable secondary evidence no more than five years old.

The Framework also gives clearer recognition to village halls, community centres, places of worship, local shops, public houses, health facilities and recreation spaces. Local Plans should consider existing shortfalls and what additional facilities and infrastructure will be needed to support growth.

What should councils do now?

At this stage, councils do not need to commission extensive new evidence or assess every possible development site. Proportionate steps could include:

  • identifying the main housing, infrastructure and environmental issues affecting the community;
  • checking the age and scope of any Neighbourhood Plan;
  • retaining evidence about pressures on services and community facilities; and
  • noting important settlement gaps, green spaces and heritage assets.

The Cheshire East scoping consultation closes at 5pm on 1 September 2026. This is an early consultation about what the Local Plan should cover and how communities should be involved—not the final opportunity to comment on policies or sites. A short response highlighting the most important local issues will be sufficient at this stage.

Cheshire West and Chester’s Local Plan scoping consultation is scheduled for 7–28 September 2026, with further consultation on proposed content and evidence later in the year.

The priority for communities is to stay informed, identify their key concerns and opportunities, and build local evidence gradually as more detailed proposals emerge.

We aim to give Cheshire communities a stronger voice by engaging with and supporting them in influencing the places, spaces and services that are important to them.

We work throughout Cheshire West & Chester, Cheshire East, Halton, and Warrington. Although we were originally founded to assist rural communities, in recent years, we have branched out to provide support in larger towns and their suburbs. 

MORE ABOUT US