Town & country planning

The Court of Appeal ruled on two conjoined appeals concerning the meaning and effect of para 49 of the National Planning Policy Framework (the NPPF). Among other things, it held that, “[relevant] policies for the supply of housing”, meant “relevant policies affecting the supply of housing”. A “relevant” policy was simply a policy relevant to the application for planning permission before the decision-maker, relevant either because it was a policy relating specifically to the provision of new housing in the local planning authority’s area or because it bore upon the principle of the site in question being developed for housing.