Government promises ‘more to come’ in planning reform

The government has vowed to go “further and faster” in planning reforms as it pushes to ensure its 1.5m new homes target can be hit. The next steps in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill include streamlining policy for planning decisions, including default approval for projects in high-potential locations such as those near commuter transport hubs, and reviewing the consultation process over critical infrastructure projects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Too often the answer to new development has been ‘no’. But that is the attitude that has stunted economic growth and left working people worse off. We need to do things differently and that journey began as soon as I started at the Treasury in July. These are our next steps and I can say for certain, there is more to come.” Deputy prime minister and secretary of state for housing, Angela Rayner, added: “From day one I have been clear that bold action is needed to remove the blockers who put a chokehold on growth. That’s why we are putting growth at the heart of our planning system.” Landsec chief executive Mark Allan said the proposals were “a positive step to removing barriers to growth by tackling some of the surplus layers of regulation that limit and stall development”. LandsecU+I boss Mike Hood added that Rayner’s announcement was “another welcome step from the government to de-clutter the planning system and unlock growth”. Wates Group chief executive Eoghan O’Lionaird said: “As a business focused on reimagining places for people to thrive, we welcome the proposed changes to planning and the opportunity to work with government and local authorities to unlock land and build new homes for communities where they are urgently needed. “Operating as both developer and builder, we experience first-hand the delays and expense that an overly burdensome planning system has added to the process of building homes, schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure, including commercial and industrial buildings that are essential to driving economic growth.” Photo by Mark Thomas/Shutterstock