National Planning Policy Framework - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Preparation of this strategy has required consideration of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF sets out government planning policies and how these should be applied, providing a framework within which locally prepared plans for housing and other development can be produced. The requirements of the NPPF must be considered in the Charnwood Local Plan and planning law requires applications for planning permission to be determined in accordance with the Local Plan. To achieve sustainable development the planning system has three overarching and interdependent objectives: • Economic objective – to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy by ensuring sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure • Social objective – to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations and by fostering well-designed beautiful and safe places, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future needs and support the health, social and cultural well-being of communities • Environmental objective – to protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environment including making effective use of land, improving biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution, and mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy The presumption in favour of sustainable development Local Plans and decisions should apply a presumption in favour of sustainable development. For plan-making this means that strategic policies should, as a minimum, provide for objectively assessed needs for housing and other uses, as well as any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring areas. For decision-taking this means approving development proposals that accord with an up- to-date Local Plan without delay. The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not change the statutory status of the Local Plan as the starting point for decision-making. Where a planning application conflicts with an up-to-date development plan (including any neighbourhood plans that form part of the development plan), permission should not usually be granted.