Planning Policy Guidance and Statements for England

Planning Policy Guidance notes ( PPG s) and their replacements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) are prepared by the government after public consultation to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.

They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.

Local authorities must take their contents into account in preparing their development plans. The guidance may also be relevant to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.

PPS 1 Delivering Sustainable Development (external link)

PPS1 sets out the Government's overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. This PPS replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 1, General Policies and Principles, published in February 1997.

PPG 2 Green Belts (external link)

This PPG outlines the history and extent of Green Belts and explains their purposes. It describes how Green Belts are designated and their land safeguarded. Green Belt land-use objectives are outlined and the presumption against inappropriate development is set out.

PPS 3 Housing (external link)

PPS3 replaces Planning Policy Guidance 3: Housing (PPG3) which was published in March 2000.

Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3) underpins the delivery of the Government’s strategic housing policy objectives and our goal to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent home, which they can afford in a community where they want to live.

PPG 4 Industrial and Commercial Development and Small Firms (external link)

This PPG takes a positive approach to the location of new business developments and assisting small firms through the planning system. The main message is that economic growth and a high-quality environment have to be pursued together.

PPG 5 Simplified Planning Zones (external link)

This PPG outlines the general nature and role of Simplified Planning Zones (SPZs), explaining their benefits in the promotion of particular areas, how SPZ schemes can be created and the nature of their relationship to development plans.

PPS 6 Planning for Town Centres (external link)

This Planning Policy Statement replaces Revised Planning Policy Guidance Note 6: Town Centres and Retail Developments (PPG6, 1996) and subsequent policy statements.

The Government’s key objective for town centres is to promote their vitality and viability by:

• planning for the growth and development of existing centres; and
• promoting and enhancing existing centres, by focusing development in such centres and
• encouraging a wide range of services in a good environment, accessible to all.

PPS 7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (external link)

This Statement replaces Planning Policy Guidance note PPG7.

It sets out the Government's planning policies for rural areas, which local authorities should have regard to when preparing local development documents, and when taking planning decisions.

PPG 8 Telecommunications (external link)

This PPG gives guidance on planning for telecommunications development, including radio masts and towers, antennas of all kinds, radio equipment housing, public call boxes, cabinets, polls and overhead wires.

PPS 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (external link)

This PPS replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 9 (PPG9) on nature conservation published in October 1994.

PPS9 sets out planning policies on protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system. These policies complement, but do not replace or override, other national planning policies and should be read in conjunction with other relevant statements of national planning policy.

PPS 10 Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (external link)

This Planning Policy Statement replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 10 (Planning and Waste Management) published in 1999 and forms part of the national waste management plan for the UK.

PPS 11 Regional Spatial Strategies (external link)

This Statement replaces Planning Policy Guidance 11 - Regional Planning

This policy statement sets out the procedural policy on the nature of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and focuses on procedural policy, on what 'should' happen in preparing revisions to them and explains how this relates to the Act and associated regulations.

PPS 12 Local Development Frameworks (external link)

This statement replaces Planning Policy Guidance 12 - Development Plans

This planning policy statement sets out the Government's policy on the preparation of local development documents which will comprise the local development framework.

PPG 13 Transport (external link)

This PPG’s objectives are to integrate planning and transport at the national, regional, strategic and local level and to promote more sustainable transport choices both for carrying people and for moving freight.

PPG 14 Development on Unstable Land (external link)

This PPG explains briefly the effects of land instability on development and land use. The responsibilities of the various parties to development are considered and the need for instability to be taken into account in the planning process is emphasised.

PPG 15 Planning and the Historic Environment (external link)

With effect from 8 March 2007 the guidance contained in Circular 01/07: Revisions to Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (external link), replaces Section 6, paragraphs 6.1 – 6.40, of PPG 15 and the existing paragraphs 6.1 – 6.40 are revoked.

This PPG lays out government policies for the identification and protection of historic buildings, conservation areas, and other elements of the historic environment. It explains the role of the planning system in their protection.

PPG 16 Archaeology and Planning (external link)

This PPG sets out the government’s policy on archaeological remains on land and how they should be preserved or recorded both in an urban setting and in the countryside.

PPG 17 Sport and Recreation (external link)

This PPG describes the role of the planning system in assessing opportunities and needs for sport and recreation provision and safeguarding open space which has recreational value.

PPG 18 Enforcing Planning Control (external link)

This PPG introduces new and improved enforcement powers given to local planning authorities (LPAs) by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. The note outlines the general approach to enforcement, including the primary responsibility of LPAs in the matter and the decisive issue of whether a breach of planning control would unacceptably affect public amenity or the existing use of land and buildings meriting protection in the public interest.

PPG 19 Outdoor Advertisement Control (external link)

This PPG explains that the main purpose of the advertisement control system is to help those involved in outdoor advertising to contribute positively to the appearance of an attractive environment in cities, towns and the countryside.

PPG 20 Coastal Planning (external link)

This PPG covers the character of the coast, designated areas, heritage coasts and the international dimension.

PPG 21 Tourism (external link)

This PPG outlines the economic significance of tourism and its economic impact. It explains how to deal with the topic in development plans and development control.

PPS 22 Renewable Energy (external link)

PPS 22 replaces Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 22.

It sets out the Government's planning policies for renewable energy, which planning authorities should have regard to when preparing local development documents and when taking planning decisions.

PPS 23 Planning and Pollution Control (external link)

This document replaces 'PPG23 - Planning and Pollution Control'.

The policies in this statement and the advice in the accompanying Annexes (Annex 1: Pollution Control, Air and Water Quality and Annex 2: Development on Land Affected by Contamination) should be taken into account by Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs) and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in preparing Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) and Local Development Documents (LDDs) - referred to in this Statement as "development plans".

PPG 24 Planning and Noise (external link)

This PPG guides local authorities in England on the use of their planning powers to minimise the adverse impact of noise. It outlines the considerations to be taken into account in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities which generate noise.

PPS 25 Development and Flood Risk (external link)

This replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 25: Development and Flood Risk (PPG25), published July 2001.

Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) sets out Government policy on development and flood risk. It's aims are to ensure that flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk. Where new development is, exceptionally, necessary in such areas, policy aims to make it safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, reducing flood risk overall.

Circulars and Official Letters

The ten most recent circulars and official letters published on the Communities and Local Government website (external link).