Local plans and system of presumed planning consent could solve housing crisis

In a newly released white paper, Wates proposes an overhaul of the planning system and the introduction of a new approach with presumed consent at its heart, aiming to expedite house building across the country.

The UK is currently facing an acute housing crisis, with the Government unable to meet its annual target of building 300,000 new homes every year. In part, this can be attributed to an outdated planning system that is bogged down by bureaucratic delays.

To combat this, Wates has set out a new, streamlined planning system that ensures efficiency and clarity in the development process.

Key aspects of the proposed system include:

• Stronger enforcement for up-to-date local plans and design codes across all local authorities, providing clear guidelines and expectations for developers.
• A 13-week decision-making period for local authorities on planning applications, aligning with local plans to facilitate quicker development turnaround.
• A reformed, paper-first appeals process designed to accelerate the resolution of disputes and maintain momentum in housing development.

The white paper underpins the need for a balance of incentives and sanctions to ensure compliance and drive effective planning. This includes linking housing development with funding opportunities for local governments and imposing sanctions, such as transferring control of departments that fail to produce local plans, to the Planning Inspectorate.

Eoghan O’Lionaird, Chief Executive, Wates Group, said: “As a country, we must urgently come together to address the housing crisis. Where we live can have a profound impact on our lives and here at Wates, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a decent place to call home.

“By adopting this change in approach, the Government could create a planning system that genuinely works to provide the homes this country so desperately needs, while also driving significant economic growth. While ambitious, the measures in this plan can deliver reform quickly and effectively.”

“From our experience at the forefront of delivering new homes, we know these measures are necessary if we are to seriously tackle this critical issue, now and in the future.”