Government proposes major planning reforms
6 August 2024
The new Labour Government has announced a series of significant reforms to the UK’s planning system, aimed at driving economic growth and addressing the country’s housing shortage.
Following the disruptive changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2023, which negatively impacted the housing supply, these new proposals are designed to facilitate the construction of 1.5 million new homes and promote stability, investment, and reform.
The Government plans to reverse the previous changes to the NPPF and implement a new standard method to ensure local plans are ambitious.
The key focus of this is on making the method for assessing housing needs mandatory, thereby requiring local authorities to plan for the identified housing needs unless they can prove significant constraints.
Specific changes and objectives
The proposed changes include broadening the definition of brownfield land, promoting higher density in urban areas, and identifying low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt for development.
Furthermore, there is an emphasis on improving the operation of sustainable development to ensure quality and introducing new rules for affordable housing, particularly in the Green Belt.
Local planning authorities (LPAs) will be required to develop “ambitious” local plans to meet the target of building 1.5 million homes.
The Government says it is committed to preserving the Green Belt but plans to empower authorities to release previously developed and low-quality grey belt land for new housing projects.
A commitment to immediate action
The Government has stressed the urgency of implementing these reforms to bring stability and certainty to the planning sector.
Stakeholders, including LPAs, will be engaged to understand the impacts of these changes, ensuring that the planning system supports a diverse housebuilding sector, delivers affordable homes, and promotes economic growth.
You can have your say via the consultation process (see here).
What this means for social housing landlords
With the emphasis on delivering 1.5 million new homes and prioritising affordable housing, you may find increased support and streamlined processes for developing new projects.
Because the reforms aim to broaden the definition of brownfield land and identify low-quality grey belt sites for development, it could also provide you with more viable land options.
Additionally, the new rules for land released in the Green Belt, ensuring it serves the public interest, might offer further opportunities to expand affordable housing in areas previously deemed unsuitable for development.
However, you will need to navigate the mandatory housing needs assessment and the requirement for “ambitious” local plans.
These changes will demand close collaboration with local planning authorities to ensure your projects align with the new standards and methods.
Moreover, the focus on sustainable development and the introduction of “golden rules” for quality and public interest will require social housing providers to maintain high standards in design and construction.
Overall, while the reforms promise to facilitate the growth of affordable housing, they also require adaptation and strategic planning so you can fully leverage the new opportunities.
For help adapting to these changes, please get in touch with one of our solicitors.
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Jonathan Hulley
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Thaine Wilson
Sectors
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at August 2024.