The New NPPF: What It Means for Viability and Development

Planning policy is now a decisive factor in determining not just how development is assessed, but whether it can proceed at all. With ongoing reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the relationship between housing targets, infrastructure delivery, land allocation, and viability constraints is becoming increasingly central to development decisions across the UK.

This practical session explores how the evolving NPPF is reshaping development economics and planning outcomes. It examines the real-world application of viability assessment and how planning policy interacts with commercial feasibility, land strategy, and appraisal assumptions. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how planning and development decisions are made in practice—and how to navigate the growing tension between policy expectations and financial realities across the development lifecycle.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Overview of recent and emerging changes to the UK NPPF
• Role of planning policy in shaping development feasibility
• Housing delivery targets and land allocation strategy
• Infrastructure requirements and planning obligations
• Introduction to development viability and appraisal fundamentals
• How viability assessments are conducted in practice
• Interaction between planning decisions and commercial returns
• Land acquisition strategy under evolving policy constraints
• Impact of policy change on development risk and timelines
• Balancing planning compliance with financial feasibility
• Stakeholder roles in planning approval and viability negotiations
• Real-world implications for developers, planners, and consultants