The UK Government’s draft revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) marks a significant moment for renewable energy development and low-carbon initiatives in England. Published for consultation in December, the draft signals a clear intention to accelerate the delivery of renewables as part of wider planning reform and the UK’s net-zero ambitions. While the draft NPPF is not yet policy, it gives a strong indication of the direction of travel.
A Stronger Planning Signal for Renewables
One of the most important features of the draft NPPF is the reinforced policy support for renewable and low-carbon energy schemes. In particular, it:
- Reaffirms that planning decisions should give significant weight to the benefits of renewable energy, including their contribution to climate change mitigation and energy security;
- Strengthens expectations that local plans proactively identify suitable sites for renewable and low-carbon development;
- Continues support for the repowering and life-extension of existing renewable sites, recognising their efficient use of land and infrastructure; and
- Embeds climate change more clearly into both plan-making and decision-taking, rather than treating it as a secondary consideration.
Taken together, these changes are intended to reduce uncertainty and create a more positive planning environment for renewables — particularly where proposals are well-designed and supported by robust technical evidence from environmental consultants.
What This Means in Practice
Although the draft NPPF strengthens policy support, it does not remove the need for careful site selection, technical assessment, or community engagement. Renewable developments will still require:
- Landscape and Visual impact assessment;
- Ecology assessment and Biodiversity net gain planning;
- Noise impact assessment and Vibration impact assessment;
- Flood Risk and Drainage assessment;
- Ground investigation;
- Consideration of constraints such as Grid Connection and Infrastructure; and
- Amenity considerations, such as Glint and Glare assessment and Shadow Flicker assessment.
In many cases, the success of an application will hinge on the quality of the technical evidence submitted alongside it, and how clearly that evidence demonstrates that impacts have been avoided, reduced or appropriately managed.
How Metrica Can Help
Metrica works at the meeting point of planning policy, engineering and environmental assessment, helping renewable energy projects move in the most efficient yet robust manner.
In the context of the draft NPPF, we support our clients by:
- Advising at an early stage on site feasibility and planning risk;
- Preparing and coordinating technical supporting documents for planning applications, including noise impact assessments, glint and glare assessments, shadow flicker assessments, telecoms assessments, flood risk assessments, and air quality assessments;
- Supporting repowering and extension projects, where policy support is strong but technical constraints can be substantial, particularly in complex cumulative environments; and
- Providing clear, proportionate evidence that helps decision-makers understand both the potential impacts and benefits.
Whether the project requires a solar energy consultant or wind turbine assessment, our experience across renewable technologies and development scales means we can tailor our input from progressing through the local planning route or forming part of a wider energy strategy.
Looking Ahead
The draft NPPF is expected to be finalised in 2026 following consultation. While some details may evolve, the direction is clear: renewable energy is a planning priority. For developers and landowners, this presents real opportunity, but only where proposals are underpinned by robust technical assessments.
If you are considering a renewable or low-carbon energy project, now is the right time to assess how the emerging NPPF could support it and how to put the strongest possible case forward. With many years of experience and an exemplary track record, we are ready to help you navigate that process with our clear, no-nonsense advice from environmental consultants.
Interesting stuff – thanks