This page provides information on the latest planning changes coming from Government. It also examines how these 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
National Planning changes
The Government published the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 17 August 2026. It came into effect on the same day. This means that planning decisions will need to take it into account immediately. The new NPPF is split into two sets of planning policies:
one set to help Cornwall Council write the next local plan, and
the other to be used in planning decision-making.
This is the Government's summary: Creating a clear, rules-based planning system - GOV.UK.
The new policies are a material consideration in all planning applications and decisions. Local Plan and neighbourhood plan policies materially inconsistent with NPPF decision-making policies should be given very limited weight. We are examining all of our local plan policies for consistency with the new NPPF and will provide a summary as soon as possible. In the meantime we will need to balance decisions being made between the local plan and the new national decision-making policies. Some applications may require additional assessment and report updates where the new national policies are relevant.
There will be a number of other changes over the coming weeks and months that help deliver the new NPPF. We will provide information or briefings as they emerge.
We have updated our Planning Explained web page. It has more information on these changes and how they affect planning decisions. We will continue to publish any briefing notes produced on the changes and how they impact decision making in Cornwall.
The Government also issued its responses to the NPPF consultation and reforms to the statutory consultee system on 17 August.
Other consultation responses
Planning Application Fees:
Government consultation launched March 2026
Biodiversity Net Gain - Targeted exemption for residential brownfield:
This is the DEFRA consultation on BNG
The Council have submitted our Cornwall Council response (June 2026)
Planning Committees reform and national scheme of delegation:
This is the Government consultation on Planning Committees and changes to delegation.
You can read our response at: CC response to Planning committees and national delegation consultation April 2026.
The Government has now published it's response: Planning Committee reform - Government response.
Spatial Development Strategies geographies:
The Council has responded to the Government's Consultation on SDS geographies.
These are our online response and additional information on the consultation response.
Design and Placemaking guidance:
This is 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:
This is 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).
Changes to written representation appeals
The Planning Inspectorate announced proposed changes to written representation appeals from 1 April 2026. You can view our Planning Appeals webpage to find out what this means for
appellants
the Local Planning Authority
interested parties
New Cornwall Local Plan
The Government published a Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025. It is 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.
Chief Planner newsletters
Monthly planning updates are issued by Government as letters to Chief Planners. You can view this on the Government website: Planning guidance: letters to Chief Planning Officers.
Other Government consultations
You can find links to Government consultations on the GOV.UK website at:
This includes both current live consultations and ones that have now closed. Current open planning consultations include:
Standard planning agreements for medium sites: closes 20 October