The UK Government has announced a major planning shake-up to accelerate housebuilding near well-connected train stations, giving developments that meet key rules a default “yes.” The move aims to deliver thousands of high-quality, affordable homes close to transport hubs, saving commuters time and boosting access to jobs and education.
Under the proposals, councils in England will be required to notify the government if they intend to reject housing developments of 150 homes or more, allowing the Housing Secretary to step in and make the final decision. This measure ensures that viable projects are not blocked unnecessarily.
The reforms will also streamline the statutory consultee process, cutting red tape and saving developers time and money. The changes form part of the government’s ambitious plan to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, unlocking growth and improving living standards nationwide.
Key elements of the package include:
- Default approval for housing near train and tram stations, including land within the Green Belt
- Minimum housing density standards for these sites to maximise sustainable growth
- Faster ministerial decisions on called-in applications by removing mandatory inquiries where written representations suffice
- Reducing statutory consultee involvement by up to 40%, with proposals to remove Sport England, The Gardens Trust, and Theatres Trust from the mandatory list
Housing Secretary Steve Reed commented:
“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.”
The announcement builds on the launch of Platform4, a property company set to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield land near railway stations, with sites already earmarked in Newcastle Forth Goods Yard and Manchester Mayfield.
The reforms will be embedded in a new pro-growth National Planning Policy Framework, due for consultation later this year. The Housing Secretary is expected to make further announcements before year-end to accelerate housebuilding across the country.
Image credit: iStock
