The new National Planning Policy Framework could be published tomorrow, including measures to do away with land allocations for future housing need.
As part of the package of measures due to be announced by the government, Michael Gove is expected to argue that the government will prioritise brownfield and higher-density development in inner-city areas. The secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities will also make it harder for planning committees of local councillors to block developments that have been approved in principle by local planning officers.
Under the changes councils will be able to set local plans with fewer homes if they can demonstrate to the Planning Inspectorate that meeting the target would damage the character of an existing area or require building on the green belt.
Gove will allow local authorities to reduce the number of houses to be built if they believe the development would significantly alter the character of their areas or impinge on the green belt.
Councils will also be given an exemption from building new homes on prime agricultural land.
