THE NEW Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has today revealed an overhaul of the planning system which will see all councils in England given new, mandatory housing targets to help deliver Labour’s target of 1.5 million more new homes by 2029.

New Homes Targets

Speaking in the Commons, the housing secretary said the number of new home starts were likely to drop below 200,000 this year.

The overall housing target for the UK will increase to 370,000 homes annually, replacing the Tory’s previous target of 300,000. Additionally, some areas previously covered by the uplift will see their targets go down, with London’s housebuilding target slashed by 20 per cent, from 100,000 to 80,000.

Labour also plans to update the method for calculating the targets, including altering how the formula accounts for housing affordability.

“Grey Belt”

The housing secretary also unveiled plans to make it easier to build on low-quality green belt land that will be reclassified as “grey belt”.

Any green belt land released for development will be subject to “golden rules” to ensure it delivers 50 per cent affordable homes and has access to green spaces and infrastructure, such as schools and GP surgeries.

INDUSTRY COMMENT

Return of National Housing Targets Good News

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The UK’s planning system has long been in desperate need of reform. Today’s announcement is a statement of intent which will be welcomed by small house builders. The return of national housing targets is good news as is the requirement for councils to demonstrate a five-year land supply for new housing.”

“There are fundamental issues with the UK housing system that need tackling to hit the Government’s ambitious targets. We are far too reliant on too few developers to build homes, with smaller developers pushed to one side, damaging competition, and consumer choice. The 50% affordable target on brownfield sites is a concern as many small developers can’t get housing associations to buy their section 106 social homes, meaning homes are going unbuilt.

“Without reform of the social housing system, this will hold back delivery. But behind all of this is a lack of builders to deliver these homes, without a serious plan to boost the vocational skills system in this country, we’ll be unable to deliver 1.5 million homes.”

Definition of Grey Belt Too Subjective

Roger Mortlock, CPRE Chief Executive, said: “The government is right to commit to a brownfield-first approach that could deliver 1.2m homes. But rather than housing targets that fuel speculative development, we need ambitious targets for brownfield homes, homes for social rent and genuinely affordable homes.

“The government’s definition of grey belt land is too subjective and could lead to unintended consequences, damaging the very openness that people value. The Green Belt is the countryside next door for 30 million people in the UK. We agree we need a Green Belt fit for the 21st century, enhanced for people and the planet, not run down and then built on by profit-hungry developers.”

Emphasis on Social Housing Particularly Welcome

Anna Clarke, Director of Policy and Affairs, said: “Setting an ambitious target of 370,000 homes, and working with councils to achieve this in their local areas, sets a clear direction from the top of government to those involved in delivering these homes. 

“An emphasis on social and affordable housing is particularly welcome, and funding is really needed here, alongside trying to get as much as possible when building on greenbelt sites. While we suffer a shortage of homes of all tenures, a lack of social housing is having a particular impact, not least on the 105,000 households in temporary accommodation.”

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