Anna Woodeson, Sustainability Director at Buro Happold and a Trustee at Architects Declare, spells out what’s wrong with the latest proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework NPPF, and explains how architects can engage with the process and make their voices heard.

What’s AD’s beef with the NPPF?
We did not declare a climate and biodiversity emergency to accept minimum standards…let’s not make the floor the ceiling! The draft NPPF consultation (National Planning Policy Framework) proposes changes that would rewind progress, stifle innovation, and reduce our ability to meet national carbon targets. National policy must enable and not restrict climate leadership, innovation, and the ability of local authorities to go further where viable.

Can you point to specific examples where you feel it’s falling short?
While aspects of the broad-ranging changes it suggests are positive, we’re particularly concerned about section PM13 – *Setting Standards*. If adopted this would prevent local authorities from setting higher standards (EUI, renewable energy, and related measures). A reliance on Building Regulations – the ‘floor’ – is simply the wrong mechanism to use.

To what extent do local authorities have the will, and the means, to set ambitious standards at the moment?
Across the UK, local authorities have led the way in raising standards – driving down operational carbon, accelerating industry capability, supporting biodiversity, and providing the market the certainty needed to innovate. This progress has not happened by accident; it has been enabled by local leadership. Countless authorities have been raising the bar and, in doing so, galvanising our industry while reducing carbon and enhancing biodiversity.

What can architects do to help?
At a time when the UK’s net-zero economy is growing three times faster than the overall economy, this is not the moment to retreat. It is not the moment to constrain ambition. And it is certainly not the moment to lock in mediocrity. Why put on the brakes? Please get involved! We support our friends at LETI who are rising to the challenge and ensuring we can respond to this consultation with ease. Let’s get as many architects as possible engaging with this process and filling in the consultation before the 10^th March. Responding to this clause alone will take 5 minutes.