Briefings 15 July 2024

Bold changes to the planning system with growth as the target

Alex Ground

3 min Read

Partner Alex Ground and associate Tom Jenkins discuss Labour's proposed changes to the UK's national planning system following the General Election.

Rachel Reeves, the UK's Chancellor, has recently announced a series of proposed changes to the national planning system aimed at addressing the housing shortage, outdated infrastructure, and promoting economic growth. Her reform agenda focuses on streamlining the planning process to make it more efficient and responsive to the needs of local communities and developers. Reeves' proposals include reducing bureaucratic red tape, enhancing the role of local authorities in decision-making, implementing measures to accelerate the construction of new homes and stimulating investment in emerging green technologies.

Key announcements

While detailed plans are yet to be laid out, the Chancellor made several bold announcements, including but not limited to the following:

by the end of July, a consultation on revisions to the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) will be conducted, concentrating on a new growth-oriented approach to the planning system
recruiting 300 new planning officers into local planning authorities (LPAs) across the country
committing to the construction of 1.5 million homes over the next five years, including more homes for social rent and reintroducing mandatory housing targets
regularly reviewing Green Belt boundaries
bringing an immediate end to the restrictions on building new onshore wind farms
the establishment of a new housing task force that will tackle stalled housing schemes across the country

Addressing the planning officer shortage and unlocking the Green Belt

Though we still await many of the specific details, within this shortlist of changes there are positive takeaways for developers, landowners, and an increasingly stretched group of planning officers, on whose shoulders seemingly rests a key pillar of the government’s strategy for growth and spending.

The extra funding for the recruitment drive of additional planning officers will be vital in clearing the backlog of applications, which has undoubtedly been one of the biggest frustrations for developers. The review of the Green Belt will also be welcome for developers and many local authorities who have been completely constrained by Green Belt regulations, making it virtually impossible to meet housing supply needs. However, concerns among local residents and environmentalists will undoubtedly arise. Despite these objections, if the target of 300,000 homes per year is to be met, unlocking parts of the Green Belt will be key.

Missing elements: biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality and rural economy support

Significantly, there was no reference to biodiversity net gain and its implications for development, nor was there any mention of addressing nutrient neutrality, which has posed challenges for development in numerous regions.

Finally, there is a notable silence so far on targeted interventions for the rural economy on how that will be supported and natural capital markets supported; energy security seems to remain front and centre but many are uncertain whether food security will also be a subject of focus.

As ever, a balance will need to be struck between responsible environmental building and growth. This means ensuring that development is sustainable and does not compromise the natural environment. How precisely this balance is struck and how much trial and error may be involved remains to be seen.

Alex Ground is in the real estate, planning and construction team. Alex is a partner, advising on all aspects of planning, highways and compulsory purchase including planning applications, appeals, negotiating s106 agreements, challenges and enforcement.

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