A major overhaul of local planning has been announced by the Government as Ministers looks for ways to boost housebuilding and meet their election pledge to build 1.5 million new homes.

The changes specifically relate to the frameworks which determine where houses and infrastructure should be built.

Clearer, simpler and faster

The aim is to make decisions by councils on new developments clearer, simpler and faster, with the expectation for them to be made within two-and-a-half years as opposed to an average time of seven years.

New changes include introducing regular assessments to help councils stay on track towards meeting their targets, greater clarity about how plans should be prepared and updated, and the use of digital tools to increase transparency on land available for new development.

This will be backed up by an additional £4.5 million in salary bursaries for new planning roles in councils, with the ambition to surpass the Government’s manifesto commitment of 300 extra planners by the end of next year.

Changes will help deliver our ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5m new homes.”

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook (main picture) says: “The plan-led approach is, and must remain, the cornerstone of our planning system and the government is determined to progress toward universal coverage of local plans.

“The steps we are taking today will ensure that local plans are simpler, faster to prepare and more accessible so that communities in every part of the country can more easily shape decisions about how to deliver the housing and wider development their areas need.

“Alongside further guidance and support to help local authorities realise the full potential of this government’s planning reforms, these changes will help deliver our ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5m new homes in this Parliament.”

Read more about Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes.