Swathes of green belt land will be opened up to housing development if it is within a 15 minute walk from a ‘well-connected’ train station under the biggest planning reforms for years, ministers have announced.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has ripped up planning rules to give any project with a density of more than 50 dwellings per hectare the go-ahead if it is located near a railway station as part of government efforts to kick start the delivery of new housing.
For planning purposes, a ‘dwelling’ is self-contained living accommodation for a household, rather than a bedsit for example. A hectare is about one-and-a-half football fields.
The Government is committed to providing 1.5m homes by the end of the parliament, but is deemed to be well short of meeting the target without radical reforms.
Eco-friendly homes to be fast-tracked
Under the changes to the National Planning Policy Framework announced on Tuesday, homes around rail stations and high-rise developments in towns and cities will be given default approval, with high-quality designs for eco-friendly homes fast-tracked.
Announcing the plans, Reed said: “Right now we see a planning system that still isn’t working well enough. A system saying ‘no’ more often than it says ‘yes’ and that favours obstructing instead of building.
“It has real-world consequences for those aspiring to own a home of their own and those hoping to escape so-called temporary accommodation. We owe it to the people of this country to do everything within our power to build the homes they deserve.”
Railway stations will be classified as “well-connected” are deemed to be in the commuting zones of the 60 most economically productive areas of the country that have a minimum of two rail services an hour one way.
Development within a 15-minute walk of the station will then be permissible, even if it is within the greenbelt.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook told the Commons that this “default yes” approach will apply near stations “within existing settlements and around well-connected stations outside settlements”.
He said the move was part of a “targeted series of changes to drive urban and suburban densification, including through the redevelopment corner and other low-density plots, upward extensions, infill development and residential curtilages”.
It is part of the Government’s efforts to make it easier for developers to build higher density housing on smaller sites and underused land.
Housebuilding is too slow, minister admits
Developments which support local businesses, improve town centres or boost shops, restaurants and leisure facilities will be given preferential treatment.
In addition, the changes seek to give certainty for developers so they can provide housing for various groups, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
Pennycook admitted “progress” towards meeting Labour’s manifesto pledge, to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament, had been “slow”.
The measures follow changes to the National Planning Policy Framework that came into force in December, which included mandatory housing targets for councils and incentives to develop on lower-quality land in the green belt.
While the move has been welcomed by pro-development advocates, the changes have been met with scepticism from conservation groups.
Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said: “A ‘default yes’ for building well-designed, high-density homes near stations is common sense: it cuts traffic, boosts local economies and puts homes where people actually want to live.
Your next read
square POLITICSMI6 chief: Tech giants are closer to running the world than politicians
square POLITICS ExclusiveOperation stop Farage: Polanski would work with Labour to keep Reform out of No 10
square POLITICS ExclusiveStreeting: Doctors refusing to delay strikes until January to avoid ‘super flu’ peak
square RUSSIAChief of Defence Staff says Russia wants to attack a Nato country
“This is one of the key planning reforms Britain Remade has called for, so it is good to see the government delivering on their rhetoric.”
But countryside campaigners the CPRE said it was “wary” of automatic approval on the green belt.
Chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “Our research shows that the vast majority of new homes approved on ‘grey belt’ sites will be built on unspoilt countryside, not the disused petrol stations and car parks the government promised last year.”
Hence then, the article about train stations on green belt will be surrounded by new villages under planning reforms was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Train stations on green belt will be surrounded by new villages under planning reforms )
Also on site :
- Trump administration, MAGA allies spread misinformation on Pretti killing
- 2000s Post-Hardcore Band Announces Update on 'Last Ever' Show in Brooklyn Venue
- Coach Outlet Has a 'Gorgeous' Cherry Print Shoulder Bag for 50% Off, and It's the Perfect Valentine's Day Accessory