Government unveils ‘New Homes Accelerator’ team to solve planning delays 

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The government will set up a team dedicated to helping get developments that have stalled in the planning stages back on track.

The New Homes Commission will be staffed by experienced Housing England staff and will work with government and local authorities to overcome planning red tape.

Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner said: “Our New Homes Accelerator will help identify and resolve issues quickly, helping local authorities and developers get construction underway.”

The government says there are 200 large sites that have outline or detailed plans in place but where construction has not yet begun.

The team was originally announced during Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeve’s growth keynote speech in July.

Simon Vernon Harcourt, director of design and planning at City and Country, said: “It feels like we’re finally seeing some movement from a Labour government in accelerating the delivery of new homes – they’re showing they’re serious about building Britain.”

“Rayner’s determination to send in a team to tackle planning block and local issues is encouraging, but we must be realistic – dismantling and reforming the current system will take some time after years of mismanagement.”

“We need proactive, hands-on planners who can tackle the issues sensibly, move things forward and make real changes to housing supply.”

The New Homes Accelerator will deliver projects at Stretton Hall in Leicestershire, Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community in Essex and Biggleswade Garden Community in Central Bedfordshire, which, when completed, have the potential to deliver more than 10,000 new homes.

Victoria du Croze, Forsters’ planning director, said: “The development has been stalled for a variety of complex reasons and it is unclear how these will be overcome, particularly in relation to environmental issues.”

“Protected species are protected under separate legislation and permits and work must be carried out at certain times of the year, while the proposed additional mitigation measures regarding trophic neutrality remain vague.”

“There needs to be greater clarity about how the planning system works in conjunction with other statutory systems. It is not clear how sending in a team of planners will address this challenge.”

“Another key issue is whether Registered Providers (RPs) will be able to undertake affordable housing on their development sites. Section 106 agreements often require developers to transfer affordable units to the RP before any further building work or occupancy can take place, which is not currently feasible for providers who are focusing their resources on maintaining and running their current stock.

“The final challenge is the provision of adequate infrastructure. Work on the ground is increasingly being held up by inadequate water supplies and electricity grid capacity. These issues need to be considered holistically across government departments.”

“We welcome the Government’s efforts to free up sites that have been stalled since planning, but the solution is never simple and it will not be possible to circumvent other statutes and legislation.”