What alarms me about the NPPF guidance in section 3.4 is the rigid adherence to procedural and legal standards at the potential expense of fostering genuine community development. The notion of plans being 'sound' in a vacuum may inadvertently ignore the lived realities and aspirations of the local population. I worry that if we conform too strictly to this framework, it will marginalize the very constituents these plans are meant to serve. Planning should fundamentally centre on community voice and real-world applicability, rather than fitting a predetermined legalistic template. Community-driven plans yield the most innovative and effective solutions tailored to local needs, thus we must ensure that our approach is flexible and approachable.