The government has announced the loosening of planning policy to try and encourage the building of thousands of new homes around England’s train, tram and underground stations, including on greenbelt land.
Secretary of state for housing, Angela Rayner, announced a ‘default yes’ policy to fast-track planning approvals for homes in proximity of public transport links under changes to the government’s new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The default approval will cover plans for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, alongside new minimum expectations for how much housing should be built in these areas.
The proposed changes to the NPPF were consulted on by Rayner’s predecessor, Steve Reed, prior to Andy Burnham’s coronation as prime minister.
Rayner said: “A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work.
“By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.
“That’s how we’ll tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said: “It’s positive news that the UK government’s National Planning Policy Framework will include provision to improve communities’ access to public transport.
“People consistently prioritise well-developed local infrastructure when deciding where to live. However, all proposals must be carefully scrutinised to ensure individual developments form part of a coherent wider picture, rather than creating small, isolated communities that may not work in harmony with one another.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP said: “Making it easier for people to buy their own home is about more than a house. It is about security and families feeling they have a place they can truly call their own.
“We want to drive growth in every postcode and help more working people into home ownership. A secure home is the heart of all our lives, helping people put down roots, plan for the future and build a good life for themselves and their families. This is about creating opportunity, prosperity and stronger communities across the country.”
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Earlier this year, we published Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport. The steps announced today act on a key commitment we made as part of that Strategy, to support densification of development around well-connected stations to create vibrant, sustainable and well-connected homes and places.
“The changes being announced today turn long-held ambitions into reality for our communities. Densification, combined with high-quality walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, will support healthier lifestyles, improve access to jobs and services, and protect important public transport services.”
The NPPF has been restructured to provide clearer national policies, meaning conflicting local policies will carry less weight where they are inconsistent with national decision-making policies.
The main changes include stronger in-principle support for development, ‘default yes’ support around well-connected stations, a national minimum number (40%) of accessible homes on major developments, stronger support for growth and infrastructure, including support for AI growth zones and data centres.
Changes to the NPPF will also aim to make planning decisions faster and more proportionate through things like reducing information requirements for smaller schemes and creating a new category of ‘medium’ development.
