LABOUR’S PLANS FOR REFORM OF THE UK PLANNING SYSTEM

Delivery of 1.5m homes and economic growth to be the focus of reforms

In her inaugural major speech as Chancellor on July 8^th 2024, Rachel Reeves outlined significant changes to the UK’s planning system which will be implemented over the coming months. 

Reeves said her work on planning reform, in a bid to deliver Labour’s promised 1.5m homes in five years, alongside deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, was already “underway”.

Here are some of the key points she covered.

Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Reform and Consultation:

The government plans to reform the NPPF, consulting on a new growth-focused approach by the end of July 2024. This includes restoring mandatory housing targets for local authorities.

Local Planning Authorities:

Angela Rayner, Communities Secretary, will reach out to local mayors and the Office for Investment to highlight important planning and growth objectives. She will also write to local planning authorities, emphasising the need for universal coverage of local plans and need for reviews of green belt boundaries where needed, but with a focus first on delivery of development on brownfield sites.

Onshore Wind Development

Lifting the Ban:

The government will end the de facto ban on new onshore wind schemes in England and consult on incorporating onshore wind into the nationally significant infrastructure projects regime.

Expanding Infrastructure Plans

Energy and Beyond:

Building on the previous government’s spatial plan for energy, the Labour government aims to expand this approach to other infrastructure sectors. Prioritisation of unresolved infrastructure projects will be a key focus.

Task Force for Stalled Housing Sites

New Task Force:

A new task force will be established to accelerate stalled housing projects, starting with key sites in Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe, and Langley Sutton Coldfield.

Strengthening Local Planning

Support for Local Authorities:

The government will support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country to ensure efficient processing of planning applications.

Critical Infrastructure Policy

Policy Intentions:

The government will set out new policy intentions for critical infrastructure in the coming months and update relevant national policy statements within the year.

Addressing Opposition

Commitment to Reform:

Acknowledging potential opposition, Reeves emphasised the government’s commitment to making tough decisions to unblock the planning system and stimulate economic growth.

Quotes from Chancellor Reeves

Reeves highlighted the urgency of reforming the planning system, which she described as antiquated and a barrier to economic progress:

“Our antiquated planning system leaves too many important projects tied up for years and years in red tape before shovels even get in the ground,” she said.

She concluded with a strong message of determination:

“Be in no doubt. We are going to get Britain building again. We are going to get Britain’s economy growing again and there is no time to waste. We will end the prevarication and make the necessary choices to fix the foundations.”

Townplanning.info will provide further updates as the government rolls out these significant changes to the UK’s planning system in the coming weeks.