The government will introduce a number of planning changes that will speed up the delivery of homes near transport hubs and limit councils’ powers to block development.
As part of the plans, councils in England would have to inform the government when intending to reject new developments of 150 homes or more, with housing secretary, Steve Reed, having the power to decide whether the schemes should go ahead.
Particular attention will be paid to those applications where a planning committee intends to refuse it contrary to the advice of planning officers.
Applications called in by ministers will also be sped up through the removal of the mandatory requirement for inquiries, with the option to consider matters through written representations before reaching a decision where appropriate.
The government’s plans would also see developments near well-connected train stations receive planning permission by default if they meet certain criteria, such as minimum housing density standards.
It follows the launch of Platform4, the government’s new property company created to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield land near railway stations, with four sites already earmarked, including Newcastle Forth Goods Yard and Manchester Mayfield.
Government unveils new development company to build 40,000 homes on brownfield railway land
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “I promised we’d get Britain building and that’s exactly what we are doing. But it has to be the right homes in the right places and nearby transport links are a vital part of that.”
“We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet, and proposing to streamline the consultation process to cut back delays.”
“This is about action: spades in the ground, breathing new life into communities, and families finally getting the homes they need.”
Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said: “We’re ending years of dither and delay by green lighting affordable new homes for working people.”
“This is another demonstration that our Plan for Change is getting spades in the ground faster, connecting people with jobs and opportunities closer to where they live, and boosting towns and cities across the country.”
