Rayner to overhaul planning

Angela Rayner, the new Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, is set to announce significant reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aimed at addressing the UK's housing crisis. The Labour government plans to restore mandatory housing targets, which had been scrapped by the previous Conservative administration, and allow construction on low-quality green belt land, dubbed 'grey belt'. These changes aim to facilitate the building of 1.5 million homes over the next five years, responding to forecasts indicating a drop in annual home construction below the targeted 300,000. Rayner criticized the prior government's record on housing as a 'scandalous legacy', highlighting the urgent need for affordable homes amidst rising rents and mortgage costs. The reforms will include the introduction of 'golden rules' to ensure developments prioritize local needs and environmental protections. Furthermore, a revised standard method for calculating housing needs will potentially increase requirements by 50% in some areas, reflecting Labour's commitment to tackle the housing emergency head-on.