The sweeping reforms are being introduced in order to address a housing deficit in the UK (file image)

Starmer to unveil plan to 'overhaul' UK planning system

by · RTE.ie

The UK Prime Minister will unveil plans later to "overhaul" the planning system in order to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

Keir Starmer will also vow to put "builders not blockers first".

The sweeping reforms are being introduced in order to address a housing deficit in the UK.

As part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), so called "brownfield" sites will be prioritised. These are areas which have been developed in the past.

Local Authorities will be subject to mandatory house building targets of 370,000 homes per year in England.

They will also be asked to identify "grey belt" sites, such as disused car parks.

Councils will be allocated £100 million (€121m) to help achieve these new targets. Although there have been warnings that workforce challenges need to be addressed too.

Local authorities will have 12 weeks to come up with plans, otherwise ministers may intervene.