Central Government has launched a consultation (7 December) on potential changes to national planning policy, these changes are designed to improve the supply of new housing, particularly “affordable” housing and to provide easier access to family housing.

Specifically the changes on which government are seeking views include:

- Broadening the definition of “affordable housing” beyond the traditional definitions of social rent and shared ownership, to make allowances for new innovative forms of affordable supply and low-cost affordable ownership;

- Increasing the density of development in sustainable locations, requiring local authorities where there are “commuter hubs” to establish policies which encourage higher density development;

- Supporting sustainable new settlements – other than encouraging local authorities to work proactively with developers who are coming forward with proposals for new settlements there is little detail on this issue, with further guidance to follow;

- Further encouragement to the development of brownfield land and small sites. The Government is setting an ambitious target that 90% of brownfield land that is held on local authority registers will benefit from planning permission by 2020.  Local authorities are also encouraged to be more permissive towards smaller residential developments of under ten dwellings, and to encourage the role of small housebuilders; and

- Perhaps the most eye-catching and controversial provisions though are saved for allowing the development of new Starter Homes on green belt land in areas where a neighbourhood plan exists and supports such an approach.

The Government remain intent on exploring ways in which the construction of new homes can be increased, and increasing access to home ownership.

It is interesting to note that the Government have sought to consult on these changes, maybe lessons have been learnt after the ill-fated introduction of the vacant building credit in November 2014.

Comments are sought before the deadline of 25 January 2016, please do contact Andrew Gale or your usual contact at Iceni Projects if you would like to discuss further.