Building more homes was one of the foundations of the new government’s first King’s Speech.

It included a Planning and Infrastructure Bill aimed at streamlining the process for approval of critical infrastructure and an overhaul of rules on the compulsory purchase of land.

The government has already pledged to reinstate housing targets, with 1.5m more new homes over the course of the Parliament – equating to 300,000 annually for five years.

More detail is required on the planning reforms and how they will help the government reach its goals but it has been a promising start with planning and housing taking centre stage.

The government has already raised the possibility of more ‘strategic planning’ across local authority areas and greater powers for metro mayors.

It has also promised to increase capacity at local planning authorities. This may mean extra staff and better technology but it should also mean a reform of processes, timeframes and a presumption towards development. Otherwise, funding will simply be sunk into an already struggling system.

The 39 draft bills in the King’s Speech covered a wide range of areas, including:

• A Renters’ Rights Bill to ban so-called ‘no fault evictions’
• Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill to reform ground rents
• Employment Rights Bill
• Skills England Bill to boost training
• Great British Energy Bill to create a state-owned energy company
• National Wealth Fund Bill

We will examine the draft planning legislation in detail and make our representations when it appears and keep you updated.

ENDS