Don't Clip the Wings of Circular Planning
The Circular Do Tank is challenging the latest NPPF draft
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) might sound like dry, “back-office” stuff, but it is effectively the rulebook for everything we build in this country. When it changes, the effects are felt on every site in London and beyond.
Last week, the Circular Do Tank (where I’m proud to be a director) submitted our formal representations to the government’s draft NPPF consultation. The deadline has now passed, but the points we’ve raised are vital for anyone who actually wants to see a circular economy move from “nice idea” to “standard practice.”
A Ceiling on Ambition?
The draft NPPF proposes several changes that sound great on paper. However, there is a catch - PM13. This specific proposal threatens to restrict Local Planning Authorities from setting their own, higher standards for energy efficiency and circular economy targets. Effectively, it risks creating a “ceiling” on ambition. We believe local authorities should have the power to pull the supply chain forward by setting clear, quantitative standards for material reuse and carbon reduction.
Our Key Asks
In our submission, we focused on three main areas:
Protecting Local Powers: We are calling for the removal of restrictions that stop councils from being more ambitious than the national baseline. If a borough wants to lead the way on circularity, the NPPF should be their tailwind, not a roadblock.
Redefining “Reuse”: The current draft sets the bar incredibly low (suggesting that reusing soil and hardcore is enough). We’ve proposed much stronger language that prioritises the retention of existing structures and the reuse of materials in their highest value form.
Defining the Circular Economy: We’ve pushed for a formal definition within the NPPF. You can’t manage what you don’t define, and the planning system needs a clear understanding of what a “circular system” actually looks like.
Final Thought
We hope we’ve captured the views of the many forward-thinking construction innovators we talk to every day. The goal is simple: to ensure the planning system facilitates economic growth and resource efficiency, rather than stifling it with “lowest common denominator” rules.
You can read our full representation below to see the specific policy tweaks we’re pushing for.
A big thanks to everyone in the industry who contributed their thoughts to this. Now, we wait to see if the government is truly ready to “do” circularity, or just talk about it.