What do the new NPPF proposals mean for the logistics sector?

After only a short time in power the Labour government is already putting its manifesto aims for the logistics sector (which we talked about here) into action. 

The government has published a consultation on the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) alongside a draft of the proposed amended NPPF.  The consultation details that the government aims to support economic growth in “key sectors” including data centres and freight and logistics, with the government noting that these sectors are “fundamental” to the country’s economic future.

The consultation acknowledges that the freight and logistics sector depends on a national network of storage and distribution infrastructure which in turn facilitates operations at local, regional, national and international level. 

Therefore, the government is proposing to insert new wording into the NPPF. The NPPF already requires planning policies and decisions to recognise and address locational requirements of different sectors, but this is to be expanded such that planning policies and decisions should make provision for new, expanded or upgraded facilities and infrastructure needed to support the growth of data-driven industries, including data centres and grid connections. 

The government also proposes to amend the existing requirement for planning policies and decisions to make provision for storage and distribution operations. This will be expanded to ensure that these policies/decisions provide for operations that allow for the efficient and reliable handling of goods, especially where this is needed to support the supply chain, transport innovation and decarbonisation. Through this change, the government is aiming to encourage adaptation to global trade patterns, adoption of technology and decarbonisation. 

It is also proposed to require planning policies to identify suitable locations for uses such as laboratories, gigafactories, data centres, digital infrastructure, and freight and logistics. 

A step in the right direction. 

The consultation closes on Tuesday 24 September if you would like to have your say on the proposals.

For a summary on how the proposed NPPF addresses housing targets see our recent article here.