Following a dramatic election victory, Labour has outlined plans to overhaul the planning system with a focus on housing and greenbelt reform.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the restoration of mandatory housing targets and a growth-centric planning strategy.
- Deputy PM Angela Rayner aims to encourage ‘greybelt’ land development, aligning with Labour’s vision for housing.
- Labour’s strategy includes potential intervention against local councils resisting development on greybelt land.
- The new National Planning Policy Framework will guide these changes, although substantial legislative efforts are still needed.
The recent landslide victory for Labour sets the stage for significant reforms in the UK’s planning policies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to restore mandatory housing targets, aiming for the construction of 1.5 million homes over the next five years. This strategy also proposes reducing barriers for onshore wind developments, indicating a focus on sustainable growth.
A key component of Labour’s agenda involves the development of ‘greybelt’ land. This initiative seeks to utilise previously developed land within the greenbelt to meet housing targets. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is set to instruct local authorities to identify these potential greybelt areas. According to Zack Simons of Landmark Chambers, such measures could involve reviewing greenbelt boundaries, which have remained unchanged for several decades.
Labour’s ambitious plans may face resistance from local councils, known for their ‘not in my back yard’ (nimby) attitudes. Legal expert Amy Penrose noted that if local authorities oppose development on designated greybelt, the central government might override local decisions. Labour’s commitment to a more assertive stance could lead to increased central interventions in planning applications within the greenbelt.
To facilitate these reforms, Labour plans to use a combination of legislation and written ministerial statements (WMS), allowing for expedited policy changes without the need for extensive consultations. Joe Ridgeon, from Hedley Planning, described this approach as a blend of flexibility and long-term legislative stability.
The forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is expected to provide detailed guidance on the classification and prioritisation of greybelt land. However, the full realisation of Labour’s housing ambitions will require more than immediate policy adjustments; sustained legal and financial investments over multiple legislative terms will be necessary.
Labour’s comprehensive plan for the greenbelt signals a proactive shift in addressing the UK’s housing needs, albeit requiring extensive future efforts.
