As part of the government’s efforts to “get Britain building again”, there have been a series of working papers and associated consultations published over the last fortnight. These give the planning and property industry the opportunity to provide their views and recommendations on a range of proposed reforms to the planning system, to help inform further policy development.
The UK government has launched multiple consultations aimed at reforming the planning system to accelerate housing and infrastructure development. These include:
- MHCLG consultations on faster housing delivery, revised site thresholds, and planning committee reform, aimed at streamlining approvals and reducing delays.
- DEFRA consultations on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), focusing on small/brownfield sites and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, to integrate environmental sustainability into development.
- In London, a consultation on the next spatial development strategy proposes higher housing targets and a review of Green Belt land use, with significant implications for future growth.
- A forthcoming NPPF review, which is expected later this year, to reshape national planning priorities and policy direction.
These consultations offer a key opportunity for stakeholders to influence planning reforms and ensure they are practical, sustainable, and aligned with both community and developer needs.
Below is a summary of the key working papers and consultations currently ongoing, with links to where you can find them and provide your thoughts.
Should you have any queries, our Planning Consultancy teams across the country are more than happy to discuss the below in more detail, considering what it could mean for your organisations, and subsequent responses to the consultations.
|
Document |
Description |
Consultation Start Date |
Consultation End Date |
Link |
|
Towards a New London Plan
Greater London Authority |
With the last London Plan being adopted in 2021, there is now a requirement for the document to be reviewed. The new London Plan, when adopted, will set out the strategy and requirements for homes, jobs, transport and other infrastructure across Greater London up to 2050. |
Friday 9 May 2025 |
Sunday 22 June 2025 |
|
|
Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Building Out
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
|
Invites views on incentives and options the government could pursue to encourage and incentivise development, particularly new hones, such as the New Homes Accelerator and the Delayed Homes Penalty. |
Sunday 25 May 2025 |
Monday 7 July 2025 |
|
|
Technical consultation on implementing measures to improve Build Out transparency
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
|
Seeking views on the introduction of a new statutory build out framework which requires information to be submitted at different stages of the planning and development cycle, and the power to decline to determine applications. |
Sunday 25 May 2025 |
Monday 7 July 2025 |
|
|
Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
|
Seeks views on reforming site size thresholds in the planning system to better support housing delivery on different types of sites, including minor, medium and major development sites. |
Wednesday 28 May 2025 |
Sunday 9 July 2025 |
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|
Reform of Planning Committees: Technical Consultation
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
|
Seeks views on proposals around the delegation of planning functions, the size and composition of planning committees and mandatory training for members of planning committees. |
Wednesday 28 May 2025 |
Wednesday 23 July 2025 |
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|
Improving the Implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain for minor, medium and brownfield development.
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
Seeks views on the implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield development. This consultation includes options around extending exemptions, simplifying the small sites metric and increasing ease of access to the off-site market. It also addresses specific challenges for brownfield developments. |
Wednesday 28 May 2025 |
Thursday 24 July 2025 |
|
|
Biodiversity Net Gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs)
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
Seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). |
Wednesday 28 May 2025 |
Thursday 24 July 2025 |
|
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