UK government to give 'default yes' for housebuilding near train stations

Thousands more homes could be built across England as the government overhauls planning rules, introducing a 'default yes' for construction near train stations. The changes, part of the new National Planning Policy Framework, aim to boost housebuilding numbers, even on green belt sites, to meet a target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

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For well-connected stations outside of settlements, including the greenbelt, that default policy applies.

The government has stated that areas will be targeted if nearby rail stations can accommodate a minimum of four trains per hour into a major urban center. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that this default approval policy extends to well-connected stations outside settlements, including those in the green belt. He acknowledged potential concerns but emphasized the necessity of developing on lower-quality green belt land when brownfield sites are insufficient.

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It may cause some concern, but as I’ve said many, many times, we know there is not enough land on brownfield land registers across the country, so previously developed land, to deliver the volumes of homes our country needs each year, at least those that are viable and in the right location. So, in exceptional circumstances, greenbelt land should be developed on.

However, the plans have drawn criticism. Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, accused ministers of a "power grab" that sidelines residents and ignores struggling infrastructure. Shadow housing secretary James Cleverly echoed these concerns, stating that the policy would force development in the wrong areas and expose the green belt to unauthorized sites.

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Far from empowering local councils who actually know their communities, they strip power from the people who live there and hand it to Whitehall so ministers can ram through major housing developments while sidelining residents and ignoring the infrastructure that already can’t cope.

Campaigners advocating for green belt protection are expected to oppose the changes, while the government insists the measures are necessary to address the housing shortage.

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To try to fix their own mess, Labour are planning a power grab, seizing control from local communities and forcing them to accept development in the wrong areas because Labour won’t build in the right areas.