New homes will be built near train stations in the latest bid to kick-start economic growth.
More “housing for working people” is promised as under-fire Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for a major speech next week that critics have branded an “emergency reset”.
Environmental assessments for homes and infrastructure will be replaced with a new system to free developers from red tape.
When developers apply to build near commuter transport hubs the “default answer” will be “yes”.
The announcement comes as housebuilders push ministers to “remove the treacle” from the planning process.
The Government is under pressure to deliver 1.5 million new homes over five years. Last year the number of new homes fell below 200,000 and there was the lowest level of permissions for a decade.
Minister are betting the new moves will address the housing crisis and boost growth.
But Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: “We will await the detail – after all, Labour has a long history of saying one thing, and then doing another. Despite promising the British people during the election that she could be trusted with the public finances, Rachel Reeves has already driven down growth and business confidence as a direct result of her rhetoric and her job-destroying Budget.”
The announcement comes as the Chancellor puts her support behind a major regeneration project around Old Trafford in Manchester.
Ms Reeves said: “Too often the answer to new development has been ‘no’. But that is the attitude that has stunted economic growth and left working people worse off.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “From day one I have been clear that bold action is needed to remove the blockers who put a choke-hold on growth… This year we will go even further to make the dream of homeownership a reality for millions and fix the housing crisis we inherited for good – getting more shovels in the ground to build the homes and vital infrastructure that our communities so desperately need.”
The Government has confirmed that its landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be introduced this spring. It will “fast-track critical infrastructure” including “wind farms, power plants, and major road and rail projects”.
Changes are also promised to the rules around statutory consultations. Ministers believe that often “too many organisations” are consulted on “too wide a range of issues, clogging up much-needed development”.
A moratorium has been announced “on any new statutory consultees”.
Mark Reynolds, co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said the latest announcements “could deliver £2billion per year in savings”.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federations, said: “Identifying more land for development and removing the treacle from the planning process that delays applications is essential if we are to increase housing supply.”
Sam Richards, chief executive of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, welcomed the shift away from environmental impact assessments, saying: “One wind farm’s environmental statement ended up longer than the complete works of Tolstoy and Proust combined.”
