This page provides information on the latest planning changes coming from Government and how they may affect planning and development in Cornwall. It is not always easy to understand what this could mean locally. On this page, we provide:
- summaries and links to where you can find more information
- links to planning consultations
- any briefing notes produced by the Council to help understand the changes
- our response to those consultations and
- any policy guidance published in response to planning changes.
Latest updates
Other consultation responses
Design and Placemaking guidance: Cornwall Council has responded to the Government's Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance Public Consultation.
You can read our response at Design and Placemaking PPG consultation response (March 2026).
Private Estate Management: The Housing Strategy team has responded to the Government consultation on Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements.
You can read our response at Private Estate Management consultation response (March 2026).
Upcoming changes to written representation appeals
The Planning Inspectorate announced proposed changes to written representation appeals from 1 April 2026. You can find out more about what this means for appellants, the Local Planning Authority and interested parties on our Planning Appeals webpage.
National Planning changes
The Government published a draft new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 16 December 2025. This sets out revised guidance and decision-making policies for planning across England. The changes are subject to a consultation that closed on 10 March. The Council's Policy team have written a briefing note to provide a brief summary of the key changes.
Cornwall Council have written a response to the questions with most relevance to Cornwall:
New Cornwall Local Plan
The Government published a Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 regarding the start of the new local planning system. It confirmed that regulations and guidance will be published early next year. This means that Cornwall Council should be in a position to start a new Local Plan for Cornwall by Spring.
You can find more information and suggested timeline in our Briefing Note - New Plan-making system launch.
Planning and Infrastructure Act
This Act received Royal Assent in December 2025. It covers:
- Infrastructure
- Planning fees
- Planning committees and a national scheme of delegation
- Strategic planning
- Nature restoration
- Development Corporations
- Compulsory Purchase Amendments
The Planning Policy team produced a briefing note to help with understanding what it means. Not all parts are in force yet. We will produce further briefing notes as the different parts come into force.
Other Government consultations
You can find links to Government consultations on the GOV.UK website at: Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government Consultation finder. Current live ones of interest include:
This includes both current live consultations and ones that have now closed.