In this issue...

Initial reaction to the introduction of new countrywide planning policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); a warm welcome to the Localism Act, giving new powers to neighbourhoods to develop their own plans; and exciting news from down on Stirley Farm, a local open access community farm.

In this issue...

Is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) good for the Green Belt? John Denham reports on recent events which suggest that the NPPF is failing to protect Green Belt areas in West Yorkshire; and Civic Voice show that we are not alone in thinking that looser planning controls are the not answer to our economic problems.