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. 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.
The Government's summary: Creating a clear, rules-based planning system.
The Government published a letter to the Planning Inspectorate on 7 October. This letter covers how the new NPPF sets out national planning policy more clearly. It highlights key elements that are intended to help boost housing supply and economic growth. It also recognises the vital role the Planning Inspectorate plays in embedding the new approach into day-to-day development management.
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. 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 months that help deliver the new NPPF. We provided a briefing for our local councils on 23 September. You can read this information at: Planning changes and policy update. We will provide further 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).
Changes to written representation appeals
The Planning Inspectorate changed written representation appeals from 1 April 2026. You can view our Planning Appeals webpage to find out what this means.
New Cornwall Local Plan
We have started preparing our Cornwall Local Plan 2050. You can find out about progress, timelines, live consultations and how you can get involved on our Local Plan 2050 webpage.
Planning and Infrastructure Act
This Act 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. Changes to Planning Committees and delegation are active from 31 October. You can find more information at: Planning changes and policy update
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