Government publishes new planning reform working paper: Speeding Up Build Out

On Sunday 25 May the government published a planning reform working paper titled Speeding Up Build Out. The announcement by Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary, is part of the government’s Plan for Change to build 1.5 million homes, delivering more social and affordable housebuilding.  

Promising to deliver thousands of new homes to communities faster the paper’s proposed changes include:

• Councils will get new powers to keep housebuilders on track to ensure they play their part to deliver 1.5 million homes.
• New housebuilding timeframes must be set before planning permission is granted, and there will be a ‘Delayed Homes Penalty’ for those who consistently fail to build out consented sites and those who secure planning permissions simply to trade land speculatively.
• Recognition that where more than 40 per cent of homes are affordable, build-out is twice as fast.
• The government is also testing a new requirement for large sites to be mixed tenure by default – helping to build more homes, including more affordable homes, faster.

Responding to the announcement Rachael Williamson, director of policy, communication and external affairs commented:

“We welcome the government’s focus on increasing the speed and delivery of new homes, especially the emphasis on mixed tenure developments which evidence shows can accelerate build-out rates. Stronger accountability measures for developers must go hand in hand with continued investment in affordable and social housing, if we are to meet the scale of housing need.

“At a time when millions are struggling with housing costs, it's vital that plans to deliver 1.5 million homes are underpinned by a genuine commitment to build the right homes in the right places – and that means homes people can afford. We look forward to working with government and the sector to ensure these reforms are implemented effectively and deliver the change that communities urgently need.”

You can read the full announcement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in this link.