15.03.2023
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The current Government has already started to put in place its own latest round of reforms, through the much-publicised draft revised National Planning Policy Framework and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Nevertheless with Labour performing well in the opinion polls, we feel it is important to have one eye on potential further reforms should Labour win the next general election.
Sir Keir Starmer has set out the five national missions which will form the backbone of Labour’s 2024 manifesto.
According to its “5 Missions for A Better Britain” policy document published on 27 February, plans would involve “Helping first-time buyers onto the housing ladder and building more affordable homes by reforming planning rules and arcane compulsory purchase rules, with new protections for renters.”
He proposes to focus discussions on identifying the “vested interests” which need to be overcome in order to achieve this mission, “especially on issues like planning reform”.
Whilst delivering a speech at UK Finance on 27 February, Starmer proposed that new houses, wind farms, and laboratories are needed to create more wealth, instead of a planning system which favours “the already wealthy”.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities and Local Government is Lisa Nandy. She has said that tackling the housing crisis is central to growth, and that the next Labour government will rebalance home ownership towards first-time buyers, rebuild council housing stock “and bring homes back into the ownership of local councils and communities”.
“This will include handing real powers to local leaders” and allow “radical new powers for communities to own, protect and grow vital local assets like historic buildings, town centres, pubs and football clubs.”
DHA are not aware of any planning intentions from the Liberal Democrats, however we note that their spokesperson for Local Government Helen Morgan MP has been highly critical of a perceived lack of support for local projects particularly with regard to public transport links and town centre investment.
As we get closer to the local elections and a potential general election, DHA will continue to monitor the political climate and potential implications for the planning system.
For further information, please contact Lauren Sinden or Mark Bewsey.
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