We have now seen the first wave of ‘Regulation 20’ scoping consultations undertaken by local planning authorities producing their Local Plans under the new system. Given the variety of efforts to publicise, we have read as many as we have found, and can already note the huge variety in consultations... ...Here, they are remarkably consistent: only a very small number set out how the LPA intends neighbourhood plans to complement their Local Plans.

Breaking with tradition, and rumours that have abounded for months, the new version of the NPPF was published on 17th August 2026. As expected, the changes between the draft version first published in December 2025 are not particularly substantial, but any community who has not yet got to grips with the proposed changes in the intervening period needs to know that they must do so now, as the new NPPF applies to decision making straight away.