The government has launched a consultation on a revised National Planning Policy Framework, described as the biggest rewrite of planning rules in decades.
The proposals aim to increase the supply of homes across England and streamline the planning system that homebuilders have said for decades have held back homes being built.
Ministers say the changes are designed to make it clearer and faster for developments that meet national standards to move from planning permission to construction.
Key reforms and objectives
The new proposals focus on making the planning system more predictable and consistent, with the goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes over the current Parliament.
Key changes include prioritising development around rail stations, optimising land use through higher-density housing, and simplifying environmental requirements for smaller sites. The government says these measures will allow local authorities and developers to plan and build new homes more efficiently.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “We’ve already laid the groundwork to get Britain building, but our planning overhaul was only the first step. Today we are going further than ever before to help deliver 1.5 million homes and provide hardworking families with the opportunity to own their own home.”
Support for local authorities and developers
The proposals include measures to support smaller developers and local planning authorities, such as a new medium site category and potential exemptions from some levies.
The government also plans to simplify rules for energy efficiency and biodiversity requirements to give builders greater certainty. Ministers argue that these reforms will reduce delays and costs, helping more homes move from planning to construction.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “For too long our economy has been slowed by a housing system that makes building difficult. These reforms aim to back those who build, unlock investment, and ensure homes can be delivered across every region.”
Implementation and next steps
The government has opened a formal consultation on the draft framework, with plans to override conflicting policies from day one to create a stable, consistent system.
Local authorities will be encouraged to adopt the changes quickly, while developers will be able to move forward with projects that meet the new standards.
Ministers have also pledged additional funding to strengthen planning capacity and recruit more planning officers.
Will it work?
Experts note that while the proposals remove some barriers, delivering 1.5 million homes will depend on local implementation, land availability, and broader economic conditions.
Industry representatives have welcomed the clarity the changes could bring, but caution that planning delays and resource shortages at local authorities may still slow construction.
Catherine Williams, Planning Director at the Home Builders Federation, said the proposals could speed up permissions for smaller developers and reduce delays, but noted that “local authority capacity and access to suitable land will still determine how quickly homes can be built.”
Greg Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Vistry, added that while the draft framework provides clarity for developers, “implementing changes across hundreds of councils will take time, and practical delivery will depend on planning resources and local approvals.”
Housing analysts and industry experts say the reforms represent a significant step, but the scale of the housing challenge means results are likely to take several years to materialise.
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