National Planning Policy Framework

A document that sets out the government's planning policy for England, and how its policies on planning are expected to be applied.

Relevant passages on cycling include 

Paragraph 17 -

planning should ... actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable 

Paragraph 35 -

developments should be located and designed where practical to ... give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements [and] to create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians