The government is set to lay out changes to the National Planning Policy Framework later today (12 December) that it hopes will get “Britain rebuilt”.
A consultation over revisions ended in September, with British Property Federation chief executive Melanie Leech saying that the government had recognised “that to drive economic growth and deliver more homes we need a planning system that is fit for purpose”.
The changes covered issues including local plans and housing targets, as well as planning fees.
In a speech last week, prime minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that the government’s plan to build 1.5m homes is “ambitious… a little too ambitious, perhaps”, adding: “We face an almighty challenge to hit these milestones by the end of this parliament.”
Earlier this week the government revealed proposals to change how local planning committees operate, including the introduction of a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said at the time: “Building more homes and infrastructure across the country means unblocking the clogged-up planning system that serves as a chokehold on growth. Streamlining the approvals process by modernising local planning committees means tackling the chronic uncertainty and damaging delays that acts as a drag anchor on building the homes people desperately need.”
Photo © Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock
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