Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick, recently announced sweeping planning reforms in
England with the aim of speeding up the building of new homes.
Under the new rules, land will be designated in one of three different categories: for growth, for
renewal and for protection.
Mr Jenrick claimed that under existing guidelines it takes an average of five years for a “standard
housing development” to go through the planning system, adding:
“I am completely overhauling the system so we can build more good quality, attractive and
affordable homes faster – and more young families can finally have the key to their own home.”
The announcement follows on from Boris Johnson’s promise of a £5bn package to “build, build,
build” to help Britain bounce back from the pandemic.
Should the reforms pass the consultation and amendment stages, regulations are expected to come
into force by the end of the calendar year.
