As the general election on July 4th approaches, the political landscape is abuzz with promises and policies. For those of us in the planning sector, the focus naturally gravitates towards how each party intends to shape the future of urban development, housing, and infrastructure. Below we take a detailed look at what the major political parties are pledging in their ‘planifestos’.
The Conservative Party
Commit to delivering 1.6 million homes in England in the next Parliament.
Abolish ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules to unlock 100,000 new homes, requiring developers to pay a one-off mitigation fee for net additional pollution.
Develop homes on brownfield land in urban areas, introducing a fast-track planning route for new homes in the 20 largest cities.
Increase density levels in inner London to match European cities, focusing on regenerating major sites like Old Oak Common, Thamesmead, and Euston.
Create locally led urban development corporations in partnership with private sector and institutional investors to unlock new regeneration schemes.
Support local and smaller builders by mandating councils to allocate land and lifting Section 106 burdens on smaller sites.
Ensure local authorities use the new Infrastructure Levy to fund essential local infrastructure such as GP surgeries and roads.
Renew the Affordable Homes Programme.
Maintain commitment to protect the Green Belt.
Legislate new ‘Local Connection’ and ‘UK Connection’ tests for social housing.
Simplify the planning process for self-builders and community housing schemes.
Empower councils with greater planning powers to prevent unauthorised traveller developments.
The Labour Party
Aim to build 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.
Update the National Policy Planning Framework, reinstating mandatory housing targets.
Provide funding for 300 additional planning officers to support local authorities.
Prioritise brownfield sites for development, fast-tracking approval of urban brownfield projects.
Commit to preserving the green belt.
Adopt a strategic approach to greenbelt designation and release.
Prioritise the release of lower quality ‘grey belt’ land, introducing ‘golden rules’ to ensure community and environmental benefits from development.
Develop new towns alongside urban extensions and regeneration projects.
Introduce effective mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning.
Mandate Combined and Mayoral Authorities to strategically plan for housing growth.
Grant Combined Authorities new planning powers and flexibility to optimise grant funding.
Further reform compulsory purchase compensation rules to expedite land assembly and deliver housing, infrastructure, and transport benefits.
Ensure fair compensation for landowners in development schemes.
Strengthen planning obligations to increase provision of affordable housing.
Adjust the Affordable Homes Programme to maximise housing delivery from current funding.
Support councils and housing associations to expand capacity and contribute more to affordable housing supply.
Implement solutions to facilitate the construction of homes impacted by nutrient neutrality regulations.
Liberal Democrats
Increase new home construction to 380,000 annually across the UK, including 150,000 social homes per year, by establishing new garden cities and fostering community-led development in cities and towns.
Prohibit no-fault evictions, establish three-year tenancies as the default, and establish a national register of licensed landlords.
Empower local authorities, including National Park Authorities, to terminate Right to Buy within their jurisdictions.
Expand Neighbourhood Planning initiatives throughout England.
Develop ten new garden cities.
Reform the Land Compensation Act 1961 to allow councils to purchase land for housing at current use value.
Ensure housing is not constructed in high flood-risk areas without sufficient mitigation, allowing local authorities to establish appropriate fees.
Promote the use of rural exception sites to expand rural housing.
Pilot Community Land Auctions to facilitate development.
Encourage redevelopment of existing brownfield sites through financial incentives.
Introduce 'use-it-or-lose-it' planning permission to compel developers who refuse to build.
Ensure all developments incorporate necessary infrastructure, services, and amenities, integrating them into the planning process.
Grant local authorities enhanced powers to regulate second homes and short-term lets within their areas.
The Green Party
Construct 150,000 new social homes annually.
Authorise local authorities to implement rent controls.
Revamp the planning system to ensure new developments include access to public services and protect green spaces.
Mandate local authorities to distribute small-scale developments across their areas as appropriate.
Safeguard the Green Belt.
Enable local authorities to repurpose vacant homes.
Require each area's local plan to set development viability levels without subsequent negotiations with developers.
Invest in transparent building inspectors and building control officers.
Mandate a full planning application or inclusion in a local development order for demolition projects.
Mandate all new-built homes to maximise the use of solar panels, heat pumps, or equivalent low-carbon technologies.
Require all planning applications to include whole-life carbon and energy calculations, encompassing construction, maintenance, and operational phases.
Ensure all materials from demolished buildings are considered for reuse, with increased disposal rates for builders' waste to promote economic incentives for reuse.
Reform UK
Expedite planning processes and offer tax incentives for developing brownfield sites, including unused offices and vacant high street properties.
Evaluate and revise the Section 103 Developer Contributions system for infrastructure like schools and surgeries to expedite house building.
Promote the adoption of new construction technologies such as modular construction and smart infrastructure through incentives.
As the nation prepares to cast its vote, the 'planifestos' presented by each major political party underscore a pivotal moment for the future of planning and development in our urban landscapes. Whether it's the Conservative Party's ambitious housing targets and streamlined planning processes, Labour's commitment to strategic growth and affordable housing, or the Liberal Democrats' innovative approaches to community-led development and housing accessibility, each vision carries profound implications. These pledges not only seek to address current housing challenges but also shape the sustainable and inclusive communities of tomorrow. The choices made on July 4th will resonate far beyond election day, defining the landscape we build and inhabit for generations to come.
We at Bluestone Planning invite you to share your opinions and insights on each political party’s ‘planifestos’. What are your thoughts on the use of brownfield sites for housebuilding to effectively address the housing crisis? Do you think the proposed housing targets are achievable?
We welcome your comments below and encourage you to subscribe for more information on how each party’s proposals could impact future planning and development projects.
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