Changes to the Principle of Development mean local planning authorities will be expected to give a default “yes” to agricultural developments in rural areas, except in exceptional circumstances.
This is expected to reduce red tape, speed up applications and support investment in modern facilities, including those aimed at improving animal welfare standards.
If implemented, this would be a "significant step forward in making planning simpler and more supportive of farming businesses," said NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos.
“It is encouraging to see our concerns are being listened to.”
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
What do the changes mean for farming?
The reforms also reaffirm the government’s commitment to consult on BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) exemptions for smaller sites in the new year, while simplifying rules to make it cheaper and easier to deliver biodiverse habitats offsite.
For farmers and growers, the practical impact of these reforms will be felt in reduced red tape and clearer guidance when bringing forward small-scale developments.
Farmers and growers will be able to spend less time navigating complex planning rules and more time focusing on food production, investing in their businesses and supporting rural employment. This change should help small family farms remain competitive and resilient in the face of rising costs and regulatory pressures, meaning more ability for agriculture to play a key role in contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
The consultation opened today and will run until 10 March 2026. Find out more at: GOV.UK | National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system.
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said the consultation is a “clear indication of the government’s intent to modernise the planning system and make it work better for farming businesses”.
“We agree with Secretary of State Steve Reed that the current system is not working well enough and must change to allow our members’ businesses to grow and invest in the future,” she added.
What else is the government proposing?
Proposals relevant to farming include:
- Strengthened protection for agricultural land, limiting non-essential development.
- Stricter planning criteria for converting farmland to housing or commercial use, prioritising food security.
- Support for farm diversification, including renewable energy projects and agritourism.
- Investment in digital connectivity and transport links to boost rural economies.
- Enhanced environmental requirements, including biodiversity net gain and carbon sequestration incentives.
- Expansion of agri-environment schemes to reward sustainable farming practices.
- New guidance for affordable rural housing and flexibility for farm worker accommodation.
- Streamlined approval for on-farm renewable energy installations (solar, wind, anaerobic digestion).
- Support for climate resilience projects such as flood mitigation and water management.
- Principle of planning automatically accepted for agricultural development in rural areas (anything out of a settlement boundary)
- Stronger policy weighting for “rural development in rural areas” including , animal welfare, modernisation, pro rural development policies, support for diversification , worker accommodation
- Stronger support for on site agricultural reservoirs
- As part of BNG reforms, the government will introduce an area-based exemption for smaller sites (up to 0.2 hectares). Visit our BNG consultation page for more information.
‘Concerns are being listened to’
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said the stronger support for reservoirs outlined in the National Policy Planning Framework means “farmers and growers are one step closer to securing reliable access to clean water, safeguarding the UK’s future food security”.
“Farmers remain committed to caring for the countryside and enhancing the natural environment. With simplified rules, the sector will continue to play a vital role in protecting biodiversity, maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health and safeguarding water quality. These reforms help provide a fairer framework that allows them to balance environmental care with the urgent need to produce healthy, sustainable and affordable food for the nation.”
Planning reform has been a consistent priority for the NFU in its discussions with government, the NFU Vice-president said. From meetings with the Prime Minister to ongoing work with Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle. It was also a key issue raised with Steve Reed during his former role at Defra.
“It is encouraging to see our concerns are being listened to,” Rachel added.
“We look forward to engaging with the government on its newly announced plans for a consultation around BNG exemptions for smaller sites, alongside the announcements around further permitted developments for agriculture expected to come next year.
“There is a lot of detail in the government’s announcement which we are reviewing, and we look forward to working with it and wider stakeholders when the upcoming consultation response and implementation timeline are published in the new year.”
Keep an eye on NFUonline and make sure you’re signed up to our NFU Bulletin emails for information on how you can engage with the consultation in the new year.
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