Angela Rayner is set to announce a loosening of England's planning policy, ordering councils to take a 'default yes' approach to housing near transport hubs, including some green belt sites.
Key facts
- New guidance orders councils to adopt a 'default yes' for homes within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations.
- Developments could be allowed on green belt sites near transport hubs.
- Pubs will get greater protection, with developers required to prove a pub cannot be kept as a going concern.
- At least 40% of homes on bigger developments must be accessible.
- The changes include stronger support for AI growth zones and datacentres.
Thousands more homes could be built within 10 minutes of transport hubs, including on green belt sites, under a loosening of planning policy announced by Angela Rayner on Monday, according to the Guardian.
The housing secretary is set to set out changes to national planning guidance for England that will include an order for councils to adopt a ‘default yes’ approach to housing developments within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations. The guidance is intended to provide stronger support in principle for development, meaning a more explicit presumption in favour of building in sustainable locations.
The changes also include new protections for pubs. Under the guidance, pubs would be protected from being turned into housing or offices, with developers having to prove there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.
The policy sets a requirement for at least 40% of homes to be accessible on bigger developments, alongside stronger protections for community facilities.
In addition, the guidance offers stronger support for growth and infrastructure, including support for AI growth zones and datacentres, according to the Guardian.
The measures form part of the government’s approach to encouraging development in locations considered sustainable and well-connected by public transport.
Why it matters
Housing supply and affordability are among the most pressing issues facing many people in England, and planning rules directly shape where and how quickly new homes can be built. The 'default yes' approach near transport hubs could speed up development, while the new protections for pubs and community facilities and accessibility requirements signal how the government intends to balance growth with local concerns.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 'default yes' approach mean?
According to the Guardian, it is an order for councils to adopt a presumption in favour of approving housing developments that are within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations.
Will homes be allowed on green belt land?
The Guardian reports that thousands more homes could be built within 10 minutes of transport hubs, including on some green belt sites, under the loosening of planning policy.
How are pubs protected under the new guidance?
Developers wanting to turn a pub into housing or offices would have to prove there is no reasonable prospect of keeping it as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.