Key facts
- The UK government is introducing emergency measures to accelerate housebuilding, especially in London.
- A fast-tracked planning process will be implemented for sites meeting specific affordable housing criteria.
- Developers may receive temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for qualifying projects.
- The Mayor of London will be granted new powers to intervene in and fast-track housing developments.
- An initial £322m fund is allocated to boost housebuilding in London.
- National print and broadcast media have covered the announcement, with positive reactions from industry stakeholders.
The UK government has announced a package of emergency measures designed to accelerate housebuilding, particularly in London, by streamlining the planning process and providing financial relief. These proposals aim to address what is described as a 'present-day emergency' in the housing sector.
The fast-tracked planning process will be available to sites that commit to delivering at least 20% affordable housing, with 60% of these designated as social housing. Developers may also receive temporary, time-limited relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where necessary, applicable to projects starting after the new regulations are enacted and before December 31, 2028. Additional relief will be offered for schemes with higher percentages of affordable housing.
New powers are being granted to the Mayor of London, including the ability to review and call in housing schemes of 50 homes or more, potentially bypassing local council refusals. The Mayor will also have authority over developments of 1,000 square meters or more on green belt land. The Greater London Authority will consult on these new planning route terms for six weeks starting in November, with guidance expected imminently. This new route is intended to cut up to six months from the planning process.
An initial fund of £322 million has been confirmed to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund, supplementing the £39 billion already allocated for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the importance of getting 'spades in the ground' and delivering the right homes in the right places, especially near transport links.
Nationally, the government is also proposing a default 'yes' for new homes around well-connected train stations and measures for the Housing Secretary to potentially intervene in schemes of 150 or more homes. The statutory consultee process is also being streamlined to reduce delays. These measures have received positive reactions from various stakeholders, including the Home Builders Federation, Royal Town Planning Institute, and major housebuilders like Barratt, Redrow, and Vistry.