Government to strip councils of final say on major housing schemes

The government has announced a series of planning changes which weaken local councils’ ability to block development and make it easier to build near train stations.

Councils in England will have to tell the government when they intend to reject new housing developments of 150 homes or more, with the housing secretary having the final say on whether they should go ahead.

The government said particular attention would be paid to cases where planning committees intend to contradict the advice of planning officers. The mandatory requirement for inquiries for called-in applications will be removed, with the option to consider matters through written representations.

Meanwhile, housebuilding near well-connected train stations could receive planning permission by default if they meet certain rules, including minimum housing density standards.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said: “We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet, and proposing to streamline the consultation process to cut back delays.”

The government said builders would be encouraged to build homes near these transport links and it is working on its own plans for such development through Platform4, an initiative recently set up to build up to 40,000 homes on surplus railway land.

Network Rail already has four sites earmarked for development, including Newcastle Forth Goods Yard and Manchester Mayfield.

The government has also launched a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system.

The proposals would remove Sport England, The Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust from the list of organisations that have to be consulted by law in the planning process.