The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), came into force on the 27th March 2012. The NPPF states that the social role of the planning system should create ‘a high quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being’.

With at least £44m of public art funding in 2010-11 linked to public art policies within local authorities and the regeneration, health and education sectors, planning policy plays a pivotal role in the provision of public art in England. The NPPF now requires that plan-making and decision-taking by local planning authorities and others should:

- ‘take account of and support local strategies to improve health, social and cultural well-being for all, and deliver sufficient community and cultural facilities and services to meet local needs’.

- ‘always seek to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings’.

Jonathan Banks, Chief Executive of ixia, the public art think tank said:

‘ixia believes that the recognition of cultural well-being and good design within the NPPF supports the provision of public art via the planning system at a local level. However, to utilise this support it is critical that public art is embedded within local planning documents. ixia will provide further guidance on the relationship between public art and the planning system as the full impact of the NPPF becomes clear’.

Click here to download the NPPF: www.communities.gov.uk