Labour has set out its planning and infrastructure bill to support "sustained economic growth" and deliver more housing.
Following the King’s Speech earlier today (July 17), the government said this new bill seeks to address the current planning regime which it described as a “major brake on economic growth”.
It will seek to address this constraint by unlocking more housing and infrastructure across the country and support sustained economic growth.
“The planning system must be an enabler of growth - enabling democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built,” the government has said.
Consequently, the bill will seek to make improvements to the planning system at a local level, modernising planning committees and increasing local planning authorities’ capacity to deliver an improved service through their performance and decision making.
Additionally, the bill aims to accelerate housebuilding delivery by further reforming compulsory compensation rules to ensure compensation is fair but not excessive when delivering social housing.
These reforms were welcomed by Marrons economics consultancy, Dan Usher, who said: “The planning system has not been fit for purpose for over a decade.
“Mandatory housing targets may incentivise local planning authorities to accept more applications, but without a proper framework in place it will still be an arduous process.”
Similar positivity was displayed by ABI general director, Hannah Gurga, who said that improving the quantity and quality of UK housing stock is “crucial”.
The majority of the bill is expected to extend and apply to England and Wales but some measures may also extend and apply to Scotland.
Renters’ Reform Bill
The government also provided details on its proposed renters’ reform bill.
Introducing the bill, the government stated that the private rented sector must “work for all those who depend upon it for a secure home” and that a functioning sector can provide “flexibility” for those who want it and a “secure stepping stone” for aspiring homeowners.
It added that too many renters are currently being “exploited” by a minority of “unscrupulous” landlords and that they are unable to challenge bad practices because they could be evicted at any moment.
As a result, the renters’ reform bill will seek to “overhaul” the private rented sector by, among other steps, abolishing Section 21 which facilitates “no fault evictions”.
It argued this will remove the threat of arbitrary evictions and increase tenant security and stability.
Instead, new “clear and expanded” possession grounds will be introduced so landlords can reclaim their properties when they need to.
The bill will also seek to strengthen tenants’ rights and protections, empowering tenants to challenge rent increases designed to force them out by the backdoor and introduce new laws to end the practice of rental bidding wars by landlords and letting agents.
Additionally, the bill supports quicker, cheaper resolution when there are disputes, preventing them from escalating to costly court proceedings.
