26 August 2026 Jessica Smith - Planning Consultant
On 17 August 2026 the Government published its new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). announcing significant changes to planning policy landscape in England.
Following a period of consultation between December 2025 and March 2026, the revised Framework now establishes a clearer distinction between policies for plan-making and those for decision-making and represents another important stage in the Government's wider programme of planning reform. With its stronger emphasis on housing delivery, economic growth and sustainable locations, more supportive policies for small-scale rural development have now been introduced.
The changes will provide landowners and small developers with a more predictable and enabling system that strengthens opportunities across the countryside. In particular a greater emphasis on the re-using of existing rural buildings including vacant or underused listed buildings which are now actively supported.
At Salmon Planning + Architecture, we are delighted that the new clearer national criteria will also support sustainable growth at the same time as preserving rural character and will enable us to offer much more accurate feasibility advice and streamlined planning strategies which can be tailored to each site.
New policies also identify forms of development that can be approved outside of settlements, this includes the reuse or replacement of existing buildings and infill development. In respect of business expansion, substantial weight is now to be given for businesses wishing to invest and expand.
The new NPPF refines the definition of infill within rural settlements and reinforces its role in supporting local services. Crucially, the updated framework acknowledges that infill opportunities will be able to exist outside settlement boundaries. This subtle but significant change will enable our chartered planning consultants to help clients identify and justify small sites that previously fell into a policy grey area, offering clearer routes through local sensitivities and decision-making.
The NPPF 2026 further strengthens the importance of previously developed land in rural areas. Many villages and countryside locations contain former depots, workshops and small industrial sites that have historically been overlooked due to remediation challenges or policy uncertainty. The renewed focus on rural brownfield land reinforces the 'brownfield first' principle and provides stronger national support for bringing these sites back into productive use. This recognition highlights the potential of these sites to deliver housing, employment and mixed-use opportunities for small developers without encroaching on greenfield land. Early engagement with our planning team will now be even more valuable, enabling clients to benefit from detailed constraints assessments, remediation strategies and evidence-led planning statements that are aligned with the updated policy direction.
Together, these changes create a more supportive environment for small-scale rural development. Barn conversions, infill plots, brownfield regeneration and the expansion of rural businesses now sit firmly within a national agenda that values re-use, sustainability and rural vitality.
For our clients, the updated NPPF provides new opportunities to unlock viable sites and deliver high-quality rural projects that meet both local needs and national policy ambitions.
At Salmon Planning + Architecture, our chartered planning consultants work with homeowners, landowners and developers across the South West to prepare robust planning applications, provide strategic planning advice and guide projects through every stage of the planning process.
Whether you're considering a new residential development, a rural diversification scheme or a commercial project, our team can help you understand the likely planning costs and develop the most effective planning strategy.
Get in touch with Salmon Planning + Architecture to discuss your project and receive expert planning advice tailored to your site and objectives.
5.0 rating of 17 reviews
Excellent all round service from Nigel and his knowledgeable and experienced team. I have recommended them to many people in the past and will continue to do so in the future as they listen, understand and work with clients to deliver achievable results.
Excellent end-to-end experience and advice for our listed property in Brighton. Would highly recommend
We had the pleasure of working with Matt and Dan from Salmon planning recently. They dealt with our planning application for a wrap around kitchen extension from idea to submission. They listened and came up with very helpful input. They are a useful mix of knowledgeable, practical and creative. They made the process straightforward, seamless and enjoyable. They dealt with all the laborious paperwork and liaised with other relevant bodies, leaving us to just contribute to the ideas and design. They are both extremely amiable and a pleasure to deal with. The process was affordable and I feel I got great value for money. Use them, you will be pleased you did.
We worked with Dan and Matt at Salmon Planning Company to secure planning permission for a double garage, workshop, and gym/yoga room. From start to finish, they were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. Their advice on both the planning and design stages was excellent, and they made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend their services!
Dan and the rest of his team at Salmon Planning were consumate professionals, dealing with every aspect of a sensitive, high profile, listed, town centre development, in a conservation area. Always available for every question I had … and I had a lot.I would, without a doubt ,call upon them for any future planning projects and would have no reservation whatsoever in recommending. Unquestionably 5 star - thank you.
I regularly contact Nigel Salmon for information and advice. He, and his colleagues, are always friendly and rapidly provide excellent advice and services. As a Chartered Surveyor myself, I appreciate the professionalism of this firm.
I’ve been using Dan Foster and his team for over 2 years now on my property developments, the level of service, support, and professionalism of each member forever seems to impress! They have saved me many times, highlighting (potentially expensive) issues I had missed and always listen to my ideas and questions with great patience . I cannot recommend this company more highly , if you need reliable advice/designs from a team for your projects definitely give Salmon Planning a call. They will tell you everything in black and white and explain all you need to know regarding the complete planning process from start to finish.
I have found Salmon Planning to be a well-run, professional planning company who have always strived to go above and beyond to help their clients achieve their objectives.I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
I was extremely pleased by the service provided by Dan Foster at Salmon Planning Company. He provided advice in relation to securing planning approval for the conversion of a barn to a residential annexe, leading to a swift and successful outcome. His advice was timely, thorough and well reasoned and his effective communication with the planning authority led to an outcome which would not otherwise have been likely. The support provided proved to be money well spent.
It has been a real pleasure working with Matt and the team at Salmon Planning + Architecture. Throughout the process they have been consistently professional, prompt to respond, and genuinely helpful at every stage. A great team to work with, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Prompt, professional and client-focused. Would highly recommend Salmon Planning, thank you!
Salmon Planning have secured planning permission for me for both holiday lodges and a new build pub and restaurant as well as for a new dwelling. The Salmon Planning team’s skill at handling complex planning applications and securing successful outcomes has been excellent. I would happily recommend their planning and architectural design teams.
I was very pleased with the services and advice provided by Salmon Planning. I also thought the in-house architecture / drawing service worked well - saving costs, time and generally making things far more efficient. We managed to easily secure consent for something that I thought might be fraught with issues. Nigel is also very well informed on local / Somerset matters. Highly recommend!
The Salmon Planning Team assisted me with an assessment of development potential in the Conservation Area of a rural Oxfordshire village. The advice I received was extremely helpful both in its decisiveness and clarity and backed up by a very useful written report. I would be happy to recommend the company for those looking for a very experienced and professional planning-led team. I wish I had contacted a planning-led architectural firm first off rather than having expensive plans drawn up by an architect and then refused by the Local Authority! It would have been a much cheaper exercise.
