Definition
Planning Policy Statements (PPS) were a series of formal documents issued by the United Kingdom government that set out national policy on specific aspects of town and country planning. They provided guidance to local planning authorities on how to interpret and implement planning legislation, particularly the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
Historical Context
- Origins: PPS replaced the earlier Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) series in 2004, aiming to produce clearer, more concise statements of government policy.
- Legal Basis: The statements were issued under the authority of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and were incorporated into the “National Planning Policy” (NPP) for England.
- Publication Period: The first PPS (PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development) was published in November 2005. Subsequent statements followed, covering topics such as housing, biodiversity, climate change, and waste management.
Key Statements (selected)
| Number | Title (subject) | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| PPS1 | Delivering Sustainable Development | 2005 |
| PPS2 | Spatial Planning | 2005 |
| PPS3 | Planning and the Historic Environment | 2006 |
| PPS4 | Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth | 2006 |
| PPS5 | Planning for the Rural Economy | 2008 |
| PPS6 | Planning for Town Centres | 2008 |
| PPS7 | Planning for Children, Young People and Families | 2009 |
| PPS8 | Planning and Habitat Conservation | 2009 |
| PPS9 | Planning for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas | 2010 |
| PPS10 | Planning for Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas | 2010 |
| PPS11 | Planning for Sustainable Development in Flood and Coastal Risk Areas | 2010 |
| PPS12 | Planning for Waste Management | 2012 |
| PPS13 | Planning for Renewable Energy | 2012 |
| PPS14 | Planning for Sustainable Waste Management | 2012 |
| PPS15 | Planning for Sustainable Infrastructure | 2012 |
Transition to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
- In March 2012, the government consolidated the PPS series and PPGs into a single, streamlined document: the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
- The NPPF retained the core policy objectives of the PPS series but presented them in a more concise format intended to simplify interpretation.
- Existing PPS documents were not formally revoked at the time of the NPPF’s introduction; however, subsequent planning guidance and case law have increasingly treated the NPPF as the primary source of national planning policy.
Significance and Impact
- Guidance Role: PPS provided detailed direction on specific planning issues, helping local authorities develop local development plans consistent with national objectives.
- Legal Weight: While not statutes, PPS were regarded as material considerations in planning decisions, meaning courts could refer to them when assessing the reasonableness of a decision.
- Policy Evolution: The shift from PPS to the NPPF reflected a broader governmental aim to reduce regulatory complexity and promote a “plan‑led” system of development.
Current Status
- The PPS series is now largely historical. The NPPF, together with associated Planning Practice Guidance (updated periodically by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government), constitutes the primary source of national planning policy in England.
- In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, separate planning policy frameworks exist, and the terminology “Planning Policy Statements” is not used.
References
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (formerly Department for Communities and Local Government), “Planning Policy Statements” series, 2005‑2012.
- “National Planning Policy Framework”, Government of the United Kingdom, March 2012 (and subsequent revisions).
The information presented is based on established governmental publications and recognized secondary sources on UK planning policy.
