New rules allow homes to be built near train stations

Housebuilders will receive automatic approval to construct homes near train stations under new government plans.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced updates to planning rules that will streamline development on land within a 15-minute walk of train stations, including some green belt areas.

Councils in England will also be required to notify the government when they plan to reject large housing developments of 150 or more homes, with the Housing Secretary able to make the final decision on whether they can go ahead.

We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes

Mr Reed says the new planning rules will help meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.

He said: “I promised we’d get Britain building and that’s exactly what we are doing. But it has to be the right homes in the right places and nearby transport links are a vital part of that.

“We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet, and proposing to streamline the consultation process to cut back delays.

“This is about action: spades in the ground, breathing new life into communities, and families finally getting the homes they need.”

Undermine local democracy and decision-making

However, critics have warned the new plans will undermine local democracy and could do more harm than good.

Fergus Charlton, planning partner with national law firm Michelmores said: “Expanding the Minister’s ability to call-in applications (in this case ‘minded to refuse’ applications for more than 150 units) is likely to undermine local democracy and decision making, and will not necessarily speed up the planning process when Ministerial delays will be a compounding factor in the applicant’s appeal strategy.

“Mr Reed’s aspiration of streamlining the planning process and cutting back delays would have been better served by placing the soon-to-emerge national development management policies on a statutory basis, giving them real effectiveness.”