Celebrating World Town Planning Day: Developers Shaping More Than Just Urban Spaces
The UK government has set a new target to deliver 1.5 million homes, and several policy changes are being considered to meet this ambitious goal.
One of the most significant policy changes suggested by planning consultants is the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This update aims to provide clearer guidance on housing delivery and infrastructure provision.
Another key proposal is the reinstatement of mandatory housing targets and the creation of new towns. These measures are intended to stimulate development and address the current housing crisis.
However, without additional funding for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and statutory consultees, decisions may continue to be delayed, stalling development. This is a concern that has been raised by industry experts.
The UK government has also introduced a £500m 'top up' of affordable homes programme to fund 5,000 new affordable homes. Flexibility is needed to extend timescales for funding awards under existing affordable home programmes beyond March 2026.
Speeding up the delivery of infrastructure, such as transport, water, and energy, is high on the agenda. A more permissive approach should be applied to strategic planning, particularly to settlement boundary policies that are unduly restrictive and frustrate growth in suitable locations for development.
A comprehensive green industrial strategy is necessary to stimulate sustainable development. This strategy should focus on funding for registered providers and the public sector to increase the delivery of genuinely affordable homes.
The government must also address the issue of nutrient neutrality through policy reform and legislative changes to unblock stalled new housing.
Today, World Town Planning Day 2024 is taking place, with a focus on the role of planning and planners in delivering housing that meets community needs and promotes equitable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
Tom Pike, Director of Planning, reflects that there is much more that needs to change on a micro and macro level to address the housing crisis. He emphasises the need for speeding up and streamlining processes, reforming delegation powers to local planning authorities, and providing additional funding to LPAs to facilitate development.
In related news, interest rates have been slashed for the second time, which could potentially boost the housing market.
Winners have been revealed for the 2024 Building Awards, although this is not directly related to the housing targets or policy changes under discussion.
- The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is one of the policy changes being considered by the UK government to deliver the targeted 1.5 million homes, providing clearer guidance on housing delivery and infrastructure provision.
- In addition to the NPPF update, the government is suggesting the reinstatement of mandatory housing targets and the creation of new towns to stimulate development and address the current housing crisis.
- Without additional funding for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and statutory consultees, decisions may continue to be delayed, stalling development, according to industry experts.
- To fund 5,000 new affordable homes, the UK government has introduced a £500m 'top up' of the affordable homes programme, but flexibility is needed to extend timescales for funding awards under existing affordable home programmes beyond March 2026.
- In the midst of this housing policy and legislation, Tom Pike, Director of Planning, emphasizes that there is much more that needs to change on a micro and macro level to address the housing crisis, including speeding up and streamlining processes, reforming delegation powers to local planning authorities, and providing additional funding to LPAs to facilitate development.
