The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed more about the UK Government’s plans to accelerate housebuilding and reform the planning system in a speech delivered on 29 January 2025. Highlighting the role of housing in economic growth, she announced measures designed to unlock development, remove planning barriers, and encourage investment in infrastructure projects.

In our response to Westminster City Council’s consultation on the renewal and potential expansion of a requirement for planning permission to erect sales and lettings boards, we argue that our members’ high professional standards mean they should be left out of the plans. Propertymark recognises the need to protect Westminster’s aesthetic appeal but cautions against measures that could disproportionately impact responsible property agents.

Mandatory housing targets, more funding for planning officers and a definition of ‘grey belt’ land feature in the new rules published on 12 December 2024. The revised framework underpins the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to build 1.5 million homes over five years.

In a working paper published on 9 December 2024, the Secretary of State for Housing sets out options for revolution in the national planning system, which will be introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Proposals focus on modernising, up-skilling, and empowering local planning officers and committees to operate as effectively as possible and deliver the homes and infrastructure which are desperately needed across the country.

The Rt Hon. Sir Kier Starmer, MP, announced his Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government in a high-profile, tone-setting speech on 5 December 2024. Drawing attention to the fact that housing starts and permissions are at their lowest for a decade, the Prime Minister insisted that the housing crisis will not be solved without approving controversial developments. However, with no new detail about how the targets will be achieved, the housing sector is left guessing.

Planning has not created a housing emergency — but it can help solve the challenges. The Scottish Government is focused on identifying how its planning system can help to provide solutions with the introduction of a new Housing Planning Hub that will be launched and operational in early 2025.

Prioritising local housing needs is key to addressing the housing crisis. We support the UK Government’s proposals, but they must be thoughtfully implemented to encourage development while ensuring benefits for local communities.

The Local Government Association (LGA) submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system has been released. It urges the UK Government to collaborate more closely with local councils, to improve and increase the delivery of affordable and social housing and calls for the necessary resources and powers to ensure the successful delivery of local housing plans.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has responded to recommendations made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) based on their year-long investigation of residential construction in England, Scotland, and Wales. Ministers agree that reform is essential to ensure the market delivers homes that the country needs and have committed to creating a long-term housing strategy with the buy-in of local authorities, developers, landowners and investors.

A Local Authority has been given the go ahead by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to repossess a rental property left empty and in disrepair since 2018. Objections raised by the property owner were overruled by a Planning Inspectorate hearing and the Council will now ensure the building is sold to a new owner who will renovate and occupy it within a reasonable timeframe.

Targeted at clearing empty buildings, former car parks, and industrial land for development, the £68 million will be delivered directly to 54 councils through the Brownfield Land Release Fund. The UK Government has stated that 5,400 houses will be built across the UK with projects in Manchester, Eastbourne, Northampton, and Weston-Super-Mare already confirmed.

Practical measures to ensure local demand is properly considered and a realistic approach to incentives for developers and landowners are key issues Propertymark members highlighted in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation.

Concerns about the amount of available housing, pressure on local services, and a perceived threat to the area's character are behind the decision by Rugby Borough Council to use new powers to stop the spread of houses of multiple occupations in the town.

As part of its brownfield-first approach to development, the UK Government has announced plans to support and expedite the approval of urban sites to sit alongside their plans to deliver 1.5 million homes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner, MP, addressed the inaugural meeting of the New Towns Taskforce on 17 September 2024, asking them to identify and recommend locations for the next generation of new towns within 12 months.

Speaking in the House of Commons on 30 July 2024, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, MP, has begun to elaborate on the updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which is a key step in the UK Government’s plan to boost housebuilding. A consultation is taking place over the summer and a revised NPPF will be published before the end of the year.