The release of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) March 2012 promotes a presumption in favour of sustainable development, including :-

• approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and
• where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out‑of‑date, granting permission unless:
  • any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or
  • specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.