Theresa May has launched new planning reforms to maximise the use of land, strengthen protections for the Green Belt and put greater emphasis on converting planning permissions into homes, to help deliver the homes the country needs
The government has already delivered more than a million homes since 2010, and last year saw the biggest increase in housing supply in England – over 217,000 new homes – for almost a decade.
Although vast progress has been made, more must be done to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. More planning permissions need to be fast tracked into homes for a generation of first-time buyers locked out of the housing market and the increasing older generation need the right homes designed to their needs.
A major overhaul to the National Planning Policy Framework, the first in 6 years, has been launched today (5 February) providing a comprehensive approach for planners, developers and councils to build more homes in the places people want to live. Councils and developers will now be required to work with community groups to ensure those affected by new developments will have a say on how they look and feel. It will focus on the following areas:
Greater responsibility
Local authorities will have a new housing delivery test focused on driving up the numbers of homes actually delivered in their area, rather than numbers planned for. Developers will also be held to account for delivering the commitments, including affordable housing and the infrastructure needed to support communities.
Maximising the use of land
More freedom will be given to local authorities to make the most of existing brownfield land to build homes that maximise density. Redundant land will be encouraged such as underutilised retail or industrial space for homes, with more flexibility will be given to extend upwards on existing blocks of flats and houses as well as shops and offices.
Maintaining strong protections for the environment
Ensuring developments result in a net gain to the environment where possible and increasing the protection given to ancient woodland so they are not lost for future generations.
Ensuring the right homes are built
Delivering more affordable homes that meet the housing needs of everyone wherever they are in their life, including sites dedicated for first-time buyers, build to rent homes with family friendly tenancies, guaranteed affordable homes for key workers and adapted homes for older people.
Higher quality and design
Introducing new quality standards so well designed new homes are built in places people are proud to live in and live next door to.
More transparent planning process
Local authorities will be encouraged to work together and continue to close the gap between planning permissions granted and homes built. A new standardised approach to assessing housing need will be introduced with new measures to make the system of developer contributions clearer, simpler and more robust, so developers understand what’s expected of them and will be in no doubt that councils will hold them to their commitments.
Housing Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:
“An entire generation is being locked out of a broken housing market as prices and rents race ahead of supply. Reforming the planning system is the crucial next step to building the homes the country needs.
“This government is determined to fix the broken housing market and restore the dream of homeownership for a new generation. There is no silver bullet to this problem but we’re re-writing the rules on planning so we can take action on all fronts.
“In moving to a more integrated society, the focus for everyone, whether a developer or a neighbourhood group, must be to come together to build the homes our communities deserve.”
John Acres, MRTPI, President, The Royal Town Planning Institute, added:
“We are delighted to be co-launching the consultation on the new National Planning Policy Framework today and we encourage the planning profession and others who care about planning and what it can do, to feedback to government.
“The RTPI will be holding a series of round table sessions for our members around the country to discuss its contents.
“Planners are critical to and passionate about building vibrant and connected neighbourhoods, towns, cities and wider areas; at the heart of which we need to ensure we build enough good quality homes that fit the needs of all.
“A clear, concise and consistent policy context can help to deliver this. We applaud the government’s focus on homes and planning and in revising the framework.”
In a move to ensure that swift and fair planning decisions are made at appeal an end to end review of planning inquiries is also planned.
The new planning reforms package is part of a wider platform of housing reforms; building on the recent £5bn Housing Infrastructure Fund announced to help unlock new homes in areas with the greatest housing need.
The government has already allocated £866m to 133 council led projects to fund key local infrastructure including new roads, cycle paths, flood defences and land remediation work, all essential ahead of building the homes.
