Accelerating Change: How the New Homes Accelerator Is Shaping Housing Delivery

Established in August 2024 by the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, the New Homes Accelerator is a specialist initiative aimed at addressing barriers to housing delivery on large development sites across England.

(Source: Bernard Spragg, Picryl)

By leveraging the resources and expertise of Homes England and working with local authorities, the Accelerator has:

• Provided targeted planning and technical support to local areas.

• Helped address regulatory and procedural challenges delaying development.

• Accelerated the construction of 36,000 new homes that had stalled or slowed.

• Facilitated planning work for a further 63,000 homes in collaboration with government departments and public bodies.

One Year of Breakthrough Progress

According to the government press release ‘Turning the Tide: Government Clears Path for Almost 100,000 homes’, in its first year of operation, the New Homes Accelerator has helped unlock nearly 100,000 homes on major sites that were previously delayed in the planning process.

The programme’s focus has been on helping partners remove practical barriers to delivery and improve coordination between different agencies involved in large-scale housing projects.

Expanding Support: Six New Priority Sites

Following its initial phase, the Accelerator is extending its work to six new major housing sites across England, supporting delivery of around 12,000 new homes. Each site aims to provide at least 25% affordable housing.

The new locations include:

• Comeytrowe (Orchard Grove) – Somerset.

• Wisley Airfield – Guildford.

• North Leigh Park – Wigan.

• Hampden Fields – Aylesbury.

• Billet Road – Redbridge, London.

• High Road West – Haringey, London.

Examples of Progress

Breakthrough progress is already being seen across the country:

Worcestershire Parkway – 4,500 homes are now advancing through the planning and delivery process following coordination between the Accelerator, local authorities and developers.

Wisley Airfield, Guildford – support has included facilitating engagement with statutory consultees and resolving early planning challenges, enabling construction to begin on 1,730 homes (40% affordable) alongside new community and green infrastructure.

Driving the Plan for Change

The New Homes Accelerator forms part of the government’s broader housing strategy, which includes commitments to deliver 1.5 million homes within the current Parliament. Related policy measures include:

• Revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

• The upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

• A £39 billion investment through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

Potential Impacts on UK Planning

The approach taken by the Accelerator could influence how large-scale housing delivery is managed in future.

Potential Benefits:

• More coordinated and responsive planning support for complex sites.

• Reduced delays through closer collaboration between agencies.

• Greater certainty for developers and local authorities, helping to sustain housing pipelines and local employment.

Potential Challenges:

• Increased central involvement may raise questions about local decision-making and accountability.

• Accelerating delivery could risk overlooking issues such as infrastructure capacity, environmental quality and design standards if not carefully managed.

• Balancing delivery speed with quality, sustainability and community engagement will be central to determining the long-term effectiveness of the programme and its role within the UK’s evolving planning system.

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At Bluestone Planning, we will continue to follow developments around the New Homes Accelerator and wider planning reforms, providing updates and guidance to help clients understand how these changes may affect future housing and regeneration projects.

Get in touch with us using the details below to discuss how our expertise can support your project.

📞 +44 1235 766825

📧 admin@bluestoneplanning.co.uk