Changes to Planning Policy

Attended interesting conference on the upcoming changes to Planning Policy last week. What effect is the new Localism Bill going to have on applications in 2012, and how will the New Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) integrate / override? It appears that until there are a few test cases taken through the appeal system that there is a great deal of scope of excessive NIMBY-ism to block applications as the Localism Bill empowers local residents to affect Local Planning Policy. In contrast the NPPF with its focus on supporting (sustainable) development seems to imply the exact opposite.