The New NPPF and Planning Innovation in Practice
Learn about the new NPPF from MHCLG, alongside planning innovation from regional and local authorities, including digitally enabled approaches.
The New NPPF and Planning Innovation in Practice, 22 September 2026
Digital Planning Directory Online Show & Tell: The New NPPF and Planning Innovation in Practice
National policy, local innovation and digitally enabled approaches
The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) represents one of the most significant changes to national planning policy in England in recent years, with important implications for planning authorities and the wider sector.
This Digital Planning Directory Online Show & Tell session brought together perspectives from central government on national planning policy, alongside regional and local authorities sharing examples of planning innovation in practice.
The session began with Michael Bingham, Deputy Director of Planning Policy at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), who introduced the new NPPF and outlined its key changes and aspirations.
This was followed by examples of how digital planning infrastructure and data- and evidence-led approaches can support plan-making, decision-making, delivery and monitoring, presented by the Greater London Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Plymouth City Council.
Agenda:
Welcome and introduction
Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO, Digital Task Force for Planning
The New National Planning Policy Framework
Michael Bingham, Deputy Director of Planning Policy, MHCLG
Planning Innovation in Practice
- Simon Long, Interim Head of Data and Digital for Planning and Place, Greater London Authority
- Emma Poolan, Principal Researcher, Planning and Housing, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Ed Mannings, Senior Planning Policy Officer, Plymouth City Council
