The government is set to introduce a presumption in favour of viable development as part of its national planning framework, which is due to be published next year.

The rule will mean that, in areas lacking their own “neighbourhood plans” that have been put together by local communities, developments that are considered viable according to the criteria in the framework will automatically be approved.

Previously, the government had said that it wanted to introduce a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” in order to negate the anti-development effects of devolving planning powers to local communities.

However, there has been confusion over the meaning of the term “sustainable”, with questions raised over whether schemes would have to be carbon efficient or simply long-lasting.

Speaking today in London at Property Week planning conference Planning Under the Coalition, government adviser and author of the Conservatives’ planning green paper John Howell said the government would favour schemes that are long-lasting.

He said that in this case, sustainability would be judged on land supply, level of affordable housing, demographics and existing transport links.

He said: “”‘Sustainabilitity’ is synonymus with ‘viability’. Local neighbourhoods will be given these parameters to work within. Planning authorities that don’t come out with local plans will have to meet criteria in the national planning framework.”

Howell, who is permanent secretary to decentralisation minister Greg Clark and chairs a government group called the Planning Sounding Board, also said that the existing concept of consultation would become extinct.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, consultation is dead. Taking a plan, and saying ‘take it or leave it’ is over. Instead, engagement is what it’s about. Local people will be encouraged to bring forward their ideas.”

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