Government outlines new Levelling Up measures

The government has outlined new measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, with the intention of putting local communities at the heart of the planning system.

According to the government, "The measures strengthen the government’s commitment to building enough of the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure, ensuring the environment is protected and giving local people a greater say on where and where not to place new development."

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider undertaking a market study on housebuilding.

The new measures aim to strengthen Green Belt protections - local authorities will not be required to review Green Belt to deliver homes.

Brownfield land will be prioritised for development.

There are also measures to tackle slow build out by developers, with the government considering financial penalties for companies failing to deliver housing despite having planning approval.

Gove said: "We have an urgent need in this country to build more homes so that everyone - whether they aspire to home ownership or not - can have a high-quality, affordable place to live. But our planning system is not working as it should.

"If we are to deliver the new homes this country needs, new development must have the support of local communities. That requires people to know it will be beautiful, accompanied by the right infrastructure, approved democratically, that it will enhance the environment and create proper neighbourhoods.

"These principles have always been key to our reforms and we are now going further by strengthening our commitment to build the right homes in the right places and put local people at the heart of decision-making.

"I’m grateful to colleagues across the House for their hard work and support to drive forward these much-needed changes to create a planning system that works for all."

Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: "It seems the government has finally got the message that solving the housing crisis hinges on meeting local housing need, rather than arbitrary top-down targets. If confirmed, this very sensible rethink is encouraging news for those at the sharp end of the housing crisis, as well as the countryside. The priority now must be to focus on quality social housing in the right place. Demand for social housing is growing nearly six times faster than the rate of supply in rural areas and, at current rates, the backlog of low-income families needing accommodation would take 121 years to clear.
 
"Councils must retain a strong voice in the planning process and need more resources if they are to deliver genuinely affordable housing. We are encouraged by proposals to address the problem of short-term lets. A registration scheme may be a good first step, but we need to see much stronger controls and use of the planning system to determine local priorities. Only then will we see a better balance of housing options to help families and young people who simply can’t find a place to live in some rural areas.  
 
"A new government review on making it much easier to build on brownfield land is also really welcome. Currently we’re not making enough use of our previously developed land and charging higher levies on greenfield sites, as well as a genuine ‘brownfield first’ approach in planning policy, are some of the ways we can unlock its potential."

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