Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework
Rail Freight Group was pleased to respond to the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework.
Although the planning regime for the core railway infrastructure is unique, rail freight terminals are covered by the NPPF, and in certain cases the Planning Act 2008 development consent order process. Of particular relevance to the NPPF are smaller rail freight terminals used for a variety of businesses, most often for our customers in the construction sector. These terminals bring in stone, cement and other products by rail, where they are turned into products such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt used in the local area. Other terminals could handle steel, waste, industrial minerals, containers, parcels and a host of other commodities. All these terminals are essential to the success of rail freight and to its future growth.