In this blog, you will learn:
What the new housing and planning policy is.
How councils are responding to the new housing and planning policy.
Where the latest transformation and change jobs are and how to apply for them.
The UK’s housing and planning system is facing increasing pressure, with the government pushing for major reform to accelerate the delivery of new homes and address long-standing shortages.
Recent updates to the National Planning Policy are changing how councils set housing targets, find land for development and manage planning applications. With higher expectations placed around delivery, faster decision making and a stronger push to make use of existing land, councils are now being asked to adapt rapidly.
As a result, councils across England are rethinking Local Plans, reviewing Green Belt and brownfield opportunities and responding to increased pressure to deliver housing more quickly and efficiently.
Throughout this blog we’re exploring what the updated housing and planning policy is and how councils are responding to the updates within the policy.
What is the new housing and planning policy?
The UK government's updated National Planning Policy Framework is designed to accelerate housebuilding and support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes across England by 2029.
The updated framework introduces mandatory housing targets through the ‘Standard Method’, meaning local councils are now expected to meet set housing figures rather than viewing them as advisory. These targets are higher in places where housing is least affordable, placing more building pressure on expensive locations.
The updated policy also strengthens the Housing Delivery Test, meaning that if councils are failing to meet their required housebuilding levels, they will have less authority to turn down new planning applications in their area.
The Green Belt policy has also been updated, allowing for more development on lower quality land, often referred to as ‘Grey Belt’, especially where sites sit near transport connections or alongside existing built-up areas.
Alongside this, the framework pushes on faster timelines as the government wants planning decisions to take less time, with fewer delays and less back and forth.
Councils are also being urged to update their Local Plans sooner so there’s earlier agreement on where new housing should be located and which locations should take priority for growth and delivery.
How councils are responding to the new housing and planning policy
Councils are responding to the new housing and planning policy in many ways, including:
Updating local plans faster.
Identifying more land for housing.
Prioritising brownfield regeneration.
Speeding up planning decisions.
Using digital planning systems.
Strengthening affordable housing requirements.
Linking housing growth to infrastructure.
Reviewing ‘Green Belt’ and ‘Grey Belt’ land.
Updating Local Plans faster
One of the biggest responses from councils has been the acceleration of Local Plan updates. With the updated planning framework putting increased pressure on councils to meet mandatory housing targets, many are reviewing how future housing growth will be handled and where new homes should be located.
The councils that are moving faster to update their Local Plans are gaining more control over planning decisions within their area. This is because when a council is unable to demonstrate an up-to-date Local Plan or a sufficient housing supply, developers are more likely to succeed when appealing planning refusals.
In response, many local authorities are now focusing on quicker plan reviews and bringing forward site allocations earlier in the planning process to ensure they remain compliant with national requirements.
Identifying more land for housing
To meet the increased housing target, councils are under pressure to find more land for new development. In some areas this involves looking at lower quality Green Belt land, often referred to as Grey Belt, alongside available brownfield sites and underused commercial land.
Councils in high demand areas are under significant pressure as the revised Standard Method increases housing targets in places where affordability is lowest.
This means councils in cities or high commute areas are facing higher targets than in previous planning frameworks, increasing the need to bring forward more land for housing development.
Prioritising brownfield regeneration
Many councils are prioritising brownfield development as a way to increase housing supply without having to expand into the countryside.
Following the introduction of the new housing and planning policy, industrial estates, empty office buildings and underused retail sites are increasingly being converted into residential developments.
This approach also supports wider regeneration goals by bringing unused urban areas back to productive use. In areas where developable land is scarce, councils are seeing brownfield development as one of the most practical and strategic ways to meet housing targets, while reducing the need for expansion into rural and greenfield areas.
Speeding up planning decisions
One of the main goals of the updated housing and planning policy is to reduce delays within the planning system. In response, councils are seeking practical ways to accelerate application decisions and reduce lengthy wait times for developers.
Some local authorities are increasing staffing levels, introducing digital systems to improve efficiency and restructuring planning departments to manage applications more effectively.
Faster decisions are viewed as essential both for meeting government expectations and preventing backlogs that could delay housing delivery.
Using digital planning systems
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the planning process as councils work to modernise services and manage increasing workloads.
Many councils are using online application platforms, interactive planning maps and digital consultation tools to assess and process applications more efficiently.
Residents and developers are also finding it simpler to locate and access planning information through these digital systems.
Some councils are also testing out data-driven tools to find suitable development sites and improve long-term planning decisions in response to the increased housing pressures.
Strengthening affordable housing requirements
As councils face increased pressure to build more homes, many are also focusing on affordability. Rising rents and growing social housing waiting lists means councils are regularly having to negotiate affordable housing requirements with new developments.
Some councils argue that simply increasing the amount of housing available will not address affordability challenges unless developments also provide social housing, shared ownership programmes or lower cost rental options for residents.
Linking housing growth to infrastructure
An increasing number of councils are demanding that new housing growth must be supported by investment in infrastructure. They’re worried that as more homes are built, roads become more congested while schools, healthcare provisions and public transport capacity remain unchanged.
As a result, many councils are seeking stronger infrastructure contributions from developers before approving large housing schemes.
Councils are arguing that without upgrades to services such as healthcare and education, rapid housing expansion could place significant strain on local communities.
Reviewing ‘Green Belt’ and ‘Grey Belt’ land
The updated housing and planning policy has caused debate around Green Belt boundaries, particularly the potential use of Grey Belt sites located near transport connections and established urban areas.
As a result, some councils are reassessing whether specific sites could be opened up for development while still protecting more environmentally sensitive and high value green spaces.
This continues to be among the most politically sensitive elements of the update, with many local residents voicing worries about the long-term effects of construction on local landscapes, biodiversity and the identity of surrounding communities.
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