As the UK government continues its ambitious planning reform agenda, National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) have emerged as a central pillar in reshaping how planning decisions are made across England. But what exactly are NDMPs, and how close are we to seeing them in action?
NDMPs are a new category of national planning policy introduced under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). Unlike the broader National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which guides plan-making and decision-taking, NDMPs are intended to directly influence planning decisions by overriding local policies where there is a conflict.
Their purpose is to:
- Provide national consistency on key planning issues.
- Reduce duplication across local plans.
- Speed up decision-making by offering a clear, standardised policy baseline.
NDMPs are designed to support the government’s pro-growth agenda, particularly in delivering 1.5 million new homes and modern infrastructure. By setting clear national rules on matters like design, flood risk, heritage, and green belt boundaries, NDMPs aim to:
- Streamline planning decisions.
- Reduce legal uncertainty.
- Encourage investment by providing greater predictability.
As of August 2025, NDMPs are not yet in force, but progress is underway:
- The updated NPPF, effective from December 2024, lays the groundwork for NDMPs by clarifying their legal status and relationship with local plans (see the NPPF for full details).
- The government had previously committed to consulting on the first set of NDMPs in late summer or early autumn 2025 but speaking on the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee on 15 July, planning minister Matthew Pennycook declined to repeat that commitment.
- Key areas expected to be covered include housing density, design codes, environmental protections, and infrastructure delivery.
The government is expected to publish a draft NDMP framework for consultation but when this will happen remains unclear. Ministers are understood to be questioning whether NDMPs should be introduced via the statutory routes provided by the Levelling Up Act or as a policy document like the NPPF.
While NDMPs promise clarity, they also raise concerns:
- Local democracy: Critics argue that overriding local policies could weaken community influence.
- Legal complexity: The interaction between NDMPs and local plans may lead to disputes unless clearly defined.
- Implementation capacity: Local planning authorities will need support to interpret and apply NDMPs effectively.
NDMPs represent a bold shift in how planning decisions are made in England. If implemented well, they could bring much-needed consistency and speed to a system often criticised for being slow and fragmented. But their success will depend on careful design, clear communication and genuine engagement with local communities. The success of NDMPs will depend not just on timely consultation, but on a transparent roadmap to delivery, something our sector is still waiting to see.
