Listen to this article here
|
Newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced a number of changes to planning rules as part of efforts to drive economic growth.
Rachel Reeves, the first woman to take on the job in the UK’s history, set out ambitions to deliver over 1.5 million new homes and support new energy infrastructure as part of plans to grow the economy. In her first speech as Chancellor, she highlighted Treasury analysis which found that the nation’s output would be £140 billion greater had the UK economy grown in line with the OECD average.
Announcements expected in the coming weeks to accelerate the development of housing and infrastructure, including launching a landmark consultation on an updated, growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework to include mandatory housing targets and a requirement to review greenbelt boundaries where necessary to meet them. Government plans will also focus on development on brownfield and so-called ‘grey belt’ sites (previously developed sites within the greenbelt that cannot currently be repurposed for housing, such as surface car parks, disused petrol stations or underutilised light industrial units, due to the protected status of the wider area).
The Chancellor has also confirmed that the government will support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country.
Relevant National Policy Statements on infrastructure such as new roads, railways and reservoirs are also set to be updated to speed up delivery on these projects. The de facto ban on developing new onshore wind farms is also to be lifted.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“Today I am taking immediate action to fix Britain’s economic foundations.
“By growing our economy we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, said:
“The Chancellor and I will work in lockstep to kickstart the economy, unleashing housebuilding and powering local growth.
“Change starts now. We will unblock the bottlenecks and drive forward a transformational package to build the homes people need.”
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband added:
“Getting rid of this ban [on onshore wind farms] and giving priority for planning permission for much needed infrastructure sends an immediate signal to investors here and around the world that the UK is back in business, an immediate step in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.“
Martha Lane Fox, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, welcomed changes being announced:
“Today’s commitment to deliver large scale infrastructure at greater pace, especially green energy projects and more housing where people want to live, is very welcome.
“But policy must be backed up with better skilled and resourced planning departments to deliver this step change. That’s why the pledge to fund an extra 300 planning officers is so important. “