The Home Builders Federation is urging housebuilders to lobby government over the draft National Planning Policy Framework, the publication of which has prompted fierce debate between government, environmental campaigners and the housebuilding industry.<br> <br> The proposed framework includes a presumption in favour of sustainable development, and this has been welcomed by HBF and others in the construction industry – although that welcome is tempered with concern about how the definition of sustainable development will be interpreted by local authorities. <br> <br> However the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the National Trust have reacted furiously to the proposals, arguing that they will see the loss of green belt and become a blueprint for unfettered housing development. CPRE and NT have received significant press coverage for their views, and there is concern among housebuilders that the government – under pressure from its own MPs and constituents – will back down. <br> <br> The HBF is therefore keen for housebuilders to get their views on the NPPF heard. The Federation joined forces with several other institutions – including NHBC, the Federation of Master Builders and the British Property Federation – to write a letter to The Times and prime minister …