Starmer vows to put ‘builders not blockers first’ with changes to planning rules

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister and his deputy Angela Rayner have pledged to build 1.5 million homes and take decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects this parliament, with Sir Keir promising to “overhaul the broken planning system”. The question is where the homes and local services people expect are built, not whether they are built at all Angela Rayner The Prime Minister said: “Our plan for change will put builders not blockers first, overhaul the broken planning system and put roofs over the heads of working families and drive the growth that will put more money in people’s pockets.” Under the changes, councils and developers will need to give greater consideration to social rent when building new properties and local leaders will have greater powers to build “genuinely” affordable homes. “Getting housebuilding targets in the right place is a difficult task, so any national algorithms and formulas should be supplemented with local knowledge and involvement by councils and communities who know their areas best.” Richard Clewer, housing and planning spokesman for the County Councils Network, said: “Whilst ministers have spoken of the need to ensure we have sufficient infrastructure – such as roads, school places, and GP surgeries – to support these thousands of new homes, there is little to back up their rhetoric in the updated NPPF. “Considering much of the new development will be in parts of county areas with limited public transport and services, it is vital the Government sets out ways to better capture the money required to build the necessary infrastructure.” Sam Richards, chief executive of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said: “For far too long the building of new homes, new clean energy projects and new transport links have been held back by a planning system that stifles growth and opportunity.