Sir Keir Starmer has declared himself a “Yimby”, saying the need for development would outweigh local objections.
The Labour leader used his conference speech this week to announce plans to build 1.5m homes over five years, unlock brownfield sites and areas of green belt for development, set up development corporations and build new towns.
Speaking to broadcast media yesterday, he was asked whether he was prepared to say to local opponents of new housing that the party had “heard you and we are ignoring you”. Starmer replied: “Yes, we’re going to have to do that.”
He said opposition to new housing was “always a feature of politics” and that Labour would “rise above that”.
He added: “The planning bit is absolutely crucial. Almost always, this government has pulled back in the face of restrictive planning regulations. We will not do that.”
Lichfields has estimated that 4m new homes could be built under Starmer’s plans to free up parts of the green belt for development. This compares with the 1.4m it said could be built on brownfield sites.
Starmer wants a review of green belt land to identify areas that are actually grey”, such as car parks and “dreary wasteland”.
Former housing secretary Simon Clarke said on Twitter: “The risk is Keir Starmer comprehensively outflanks us”.
