𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Pro-building campaigners have tentatively welcomed a new pledge from Labour to change planning laws to improve housebuilding around railway stations. The Department for Housing has announced it will reform the planning framework to give default approval to building applications around rail infrastructure, in a bid to meet the government’s manifesto commitment.

Provided the developments meet “certain rules”, the government hopes the move will boost both building and productivity, with commuters saving time getting to work. Developers will also be encouraged to prioritise the areas around stations, with councils now required to tell the government when they intend to reject new developments over a certain size. However Housing Secretary Steve Reed will be able to have the final say on whether or not they go ahead.

It comes after the Government already oversaw the establishment of a new property company to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield land near railways stations, including Newcastle and Manchester.

Mr Reed said it’s further proof of Labour’s pledge to “get Britain building… 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.”

Pro-building campaigners tentatively welcomed the announcement as an “improvement”, but warned that more radical reforms are needed in order to tackle Britain’s housing crisis.

Dr Lawrence Newport, director of Looking for Growth, told the Express: “This is a welcome improvement but government are going to have to radically change the planning system if they’re really going to reduce rents and the cost of living across this country.

“Ministers need to get a grip and back the builders over the blockers.”

Meanwhile Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly said…

Labour came to power on a pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes by the 2029 General Election, however experts warn current progress suggests they will miss this target.

Existing data estimates that between July 2024 and September 2025 there was a net addition of 231,300 homes, 15% of the total target.

At this rate it would take around 6.5 years for Labour to meet its pledge.

Housebuilding rates have crashed in London under mayor Sadiq Khan, with industry groups warning of onerous regulations and ‘affordable housing’ requirements hampering progress.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the new ‘default yes’ planning rules around stations will also include minimum housing density standards, “to make the most of sustainable growth opportunities for local housing, jobs, and businesses”.

Councils will also be forced to inform the government when they plan on blocking applications of 150 homes or more, so ministers can decide whether to overrule them.