Peter Littlewood has written an article in Property Notify that can be read in full here.

Labour’s proposed planning reforms aim to address the UK housing crisis by making the system more efficient, unlocking land, and delivering more affordable homes. Their key proposals include:

• Housing Targets: Reintroducing mandatory targets to ensure local authorities plan for sufficient development.
• Green Belt Review: Allowing development on “grey belt” land with low environmental value while protecting key green spaces.
• Strengthening Planning Authorities: Increasing resources and staffing to speed up application approvals.
• Infrastructure Investment: Requiring developers to fund local services like schools, healthcare, and transport alongside new housing.
• Tackling Delays: Limiting the influence of NIMBY groups and reducing legal challenges that slow down projects.
• Fast-Tracking Industrial & Energy Projects: Cutting red tape to accelerate renewable energy and infrastructure developments.
• Balancing Affordability & Growth: Ensuring housing remains accessible while encouraging economic expansion.

Challenges include potential environmental impacts, resistance to Green Belt changes, and difficulties in rapid implementation. If successful, the reforms could reshape the UK’s planning system and housing market.