Full steam ahead to fast-track more homes near stations
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Thousands of quality homes to be built
closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping
families live closer to work, school and
transport New planning rules will fast-track building
quality homes near transport hubs in England Part of the
biggest rewrite of planning rules in over a decade to build homes
faster, drive good growth, unlock investment, jobs and education
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Thousands of new homes will be built around England's train, tram and underground stations under new planning rules introduced today (Monday 17 August), helping families to live closer to work, schools and transport. The common-sense changes will fast-track quality homes in well-connected areas, making better use of underdeveloped land around stations while creating jobs, unlocking investment, driving growth and connecting communities. This builds on the priorities set out by the government to ensure that planning decisions give proper consideration to the proximity of public transport links. Under the government's new National Planning Policy Framework, there will be a default yes' for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, alongside new minimum expectations for how much housing should be built in these areas. It will also prevent excessive gold-plating where there are clear national standards already in place. It comes as the government passes the quarter-way mark towards its stretching target of 1.5 million homes and goes further to get developments that meet clear standards moving quickly from plans on paper to spades in the ground. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela 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. 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. Pubs and music venues are the lifeblood of communities, local jobs and high streets - and the changes we are making will protect them from being lost without good reason. The changes will also make it easier for councils to approve developments that create jobs, unlock investment, and deliver the shops, leisure facilities, clean energy and food production local areas need. They build on measures announced last week to back farmers and rural businesses, including making it easier to deliver reservoirs, greenhouses, polytunnels and farm shops. The government is also cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by reducing blanket consultation requirements that have slowed planning decisions. Councils will no longer need sign-off from public bodies where specialist advice is not needed, while expert input will be focused on the cases where it adds most value. Sport England will continue to advise on significant cases, and the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications so they can play an important role in the planning process. Together, these reforms are part of the government's wider overhaul of the planning system - tackling the housing crisis, unlocking investment and driving good growth in every postcode.
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