Housing Secretary Steve Reed is poised to unveil a significant overhaul of the UK's planning system, designed to accelerate the construction of new homes across the country.
A 'Default Yes' for Strategic Locations
The central pillar of the reform is a new 'default yes' policy for housing developments. This will apply specifically to land situated within a 15-minute walk of train and tram stations deemed to be 'well-connected'. Crucially, this policy will also extend to certain areas of the green belt, marking a substantial shift in planning policy. The announcement is scheduled for Tuesday, 18 November 2025.
Streamlining the Process and Centralising Power
To further unblock the planning pipeline, ministers will be granted stronger powers to intervene when local councils are planning to reject large housing developments. This intervention will target applications for 150 homes or more.
Additional measures include a streamlining of the consultation process. The government plans to remove some organisations from the statutory list of bodies that must be consulted on planning applications. The objective is clear: to reduce delays and get spades in the ground faster.
The Drive for 1.5 Million Homes
These sweeping changes are a direct attempt by the government to meet its ambitious commitment to build 1.5 million homes before the next general election. By focusing development on land near existing transport infrastructure, the policy aims to boost housing supply while promoting sustainable, well-connected communities.
