This week the Government published a consultation paper setting out its proposed changes to national planning policy. Whilst many of the specific changes proposed have already been well publicised through recent announcements in the press, including proposals to broaden the definition of affordable housing (to include discount market and rent to buy) and to support residential development on brownfield land, the consultation also includes a number of other key proposals aimed at encouraging growth and development.
The paper builds upon the Government’s well publicised support for Starter Homes on vacant and under utilised commercial land by consulting upon the inclusion of Starter Homes within mixed use commercial developments, highlighting that the provision of Starter Homes in town centre regeneration schemes could help to increase to footfall to the benefit of the local economy. Further support is also given to the delivery of Starter Homes through rural exception sites, and there is a proposed relaxation of the current ‘openness test’ set out in paragraph 89 of the National Planning Policy Framework to enable the redevelopment of brownfield sites in the Green Belt to provide Starter Homes.
The paper also sets out proposals to support higher densities of housing development around existing commuter hubs, such as public transport interchanges (rail, tube or tram) or places that are, or could be in the future, well served by frequent public transport services (defined as being at least every 15 minutes during normal commuting hours). However, many would argue that the proposed higher density of 40 dwellings per hectare set out in the consultation paper is already being achieved in a number of larger urban areas, and will therefore have little or no effect on increasing the number of new homes being delivered.
The consultation also outlines support for the delivery of sustainable new settlements where these are identified by local planning authorities to meet their housing needs, whilst also including measures to try and help ensure that housing allocated in local plans is delivered in a timely manner.
This paper serves to formalise many of the Government’s proposed changes to national planning policy, but provides limited additional detail to that which has already been set out in the Housing and Planning Bill and/or has been the subject of recent ministerial announcements.
However, if you would like to understand more about the opportunities to respond to this consultation then please contact us for further information.