UK Government Sets 12-Week Deadline for Councils to Meet New Housing Targets

Dec 12, 2024, 10:39 AM

The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, has announced sweeping changes to the national planning policy framework (NPPF) aimed at addressing the housing crisis by building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook emphasized the government's commitment to intervene if councils fail to meet these targets within the 12 weeks deadline. The reforms include mandatory housing targets for councils, prioritizing brownfield sites for development, and reviewing green belt boundaries to identify lower quality 'grey belt' land for potential building. The government has allocated £100 million to councils to facilitate these changes, including hiring additional planning officers. The strategy seeks to balance the need for housing with environmental concerns, although it has sparked debate about potential impacts on local communities and the environment. Critics from the Local Government Association argue that the targets are unrealistic and could lead to urban sprawl, while Shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake has accused Labour of bulldozing through local concerns. Supporters believe the reforms are necessary to tackle the housing shortage effectively.