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Planning Reform 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
Lead MP
The Minister for Housing and Planning
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyHousingClimate
Other Contributors: 43
At a Glance
The Minister for Housing and Planning raised concerns about planning reform 2025-12-16 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
England is in the grip of a housing crisis, blighting lives, hampering economic growth, and reducing labour mobility. The Government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament to address this crisis. Despite inheriting an acute downturn exacerbated by previous anti-supply changes like abolishing mandatory housing targets, this Government acted quickly, revising the national planning policy framework in December 2023 and introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in March. Today, we are publishing a consultation on overhauling the national planning policy framework to support sustainable development, densification around rail stations, and diverse mix of homes. The revised framework includes clear requirements for swift bricks, sustainable drainage systems, protection for chalk streams, and accessible play facilities for children. Additionally, we are announcing reforms to support small and medium-sized house builders by increasing site thresholds and relaxing information requirements, exempting smaller developments from biodiversity net gain, and exploring further regulatory easements.
Gareth Bacon
Lab
Orpington
Question
The Government’s last planning framework pushed development onto rural areas, prioritising concreting over green belt land. How will this approach continue with an assault on the green belt?
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
The shadow minister inquires about accessible housing requirements under the new framework, asking if there will be a target for these new homes. She also asks what discussions have been had with disability groups to ensure that the homes meet their needs.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that 40% of new builds must meet mandatory accessibility standards and local plans should provide for wheelchair accessible homes as a minimum requirement, driving up provision overall while meeting different levels of need.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Question
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson questions the impact on sustainable development under the new framework. He asks for recognition of chalk streams as irreplaceable habitats, reversal of BNG abolition for small sites, increase in social homes target from 18,000 to at least 90,000 per year, and real 'use it or lose it' powers on permissions.
Minister reply
The Minister does not address the specific points raised by the Liberal Democrat spokesperson but confirms that discussions are ongoing with various groups regarding planning reforms.
Chris Curtis
Lab
Milton Keynes North
Question
He seeks clarity on the decision not to make National Development Management Policies statutory and asks when this might be reconsidered, citing potential benefits of extra certainty for the sector.
Minister reply
The approach carries considerable uncertainty and risks. We have opted for agile changes to national policy instead of a statutory route due to concerns about conflicts with local development plans and their chilling effect on the system.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Question
Expresses concern over halted house building in east Kent, suggesting oversupply of consents without adequate build-out. Asks for details on unbuilt-out housing consents.
Minister reply
The draft framework continues to provide protections for agricultural land and encourages the build-out of consented sites through initiatives like the new homes accelerator.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
Concerns that sports grounds around railway stations may be targeted by developers, seeking assurance on protections for these green spaces.
Minister reply
The new framework proposes a default yes to suitable proposals around train stations but strengthens existing protections for playing fields. Individual decisions must still comply with wider policies in the NPPF.
Sarah Gibson
LD
Chippenham
Question
Highlights issues of speculative development without adequate infrastructure, asking how rural growth can be supported by its communities.
Minister reply
The framework consolidates and strengthens provisions for community infrastructure and includes new vision-led transport measures to ensure housing developments are accompanied by necessary amenities.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Inquires about automatic permission for development on earmarked sites in local plans, and assurances regarding green belt land usage.
Minister reply
There is a general principle to give greater weight to applications on sites allocated in the development plan. Sequential tests are set for reviewing green belt, starting with poorer-quality areas if necessary.
Oliver Dowden
Con
Hertsmere
Question
Questions the impact of proposals around railway stations within a mile radius and asks about measures to protect village integrity.
Minister reply
The framework proposes a default 'yes' for development around railway stations within walking distance, approximately 800 metres. We are consulting on appropriate distances.
Question
Can the Minister clarify the legal basis for the changes being introduced regarding biodiversity net gain?
Minister reply
The working paper sets out a series of proposals to get build-out transparency and accountability up, including a delayed homes penalty as a charge when development could be coming forward but is not. These proposals are distinct from today’s draft framework.
Question
What steps are the Government taking to tackle developers who are land banking instead of building homes?
Minister reply
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working on proposals to get build-out transparency and accountability up. A delayed homes penalty would act as a charge when development could be coming forward but is not.
Question
How will new policies ensure that development is sustainable, linked to jobs and infrastructure, and includes enough affordable homes?
Minister reply
We are clear that new housing must be supported by appropriate infrastructure and amenities. The draft framework consolidates and strengthens the support given to this provision, including public services. However, there is more to do to ensure that the right infrastructure comes forward at the appropriate time alongside the building of new homes.
Question
Will the Minister revisit the housing target formula which resulted in a doubling of targets in some areas?
Minister reply
No.
Question
What more can be done about developers who sit on planning applications without building?
Minister reply
We are looking at further measures on build-out to ensure that viable developments come forward. The new homes accelerator provides central Government support to unlock large strategic sites that have already received consent.
Question
Can the Minister give reassurance regarding crucial motorway junction upgrades?
Minister reply
The housing infrastructure budget is under considerable pressure, but the material amendment for the case mentioned by the hon. Member is being considered. The Government provides significant amounts of funding support for land and infrastructure across the country.
Question
Will the Minister condemn the previous Government’s failure to deal with the housing crisis?
Minister reply
Absolutely, we are taking concerted action through the homelessness strategy. At the heart of resolving temporary accommodation is building more affordable homes, particularly social rented homes.
Question
Why have a local plan at all given Labour’s proposals on call-ins?
Minister reply
Mandatory housing targets have an important role in a functioning system. We are changing the referral criteria so that they apply not just to planning applications that might be accepted but also to those that might be refused.
Question
Can the Minister assure me that disabled children and their families will be consulted on how to make play spaces accessible?
Minister reply
Local communities should be actively involved in the design of play areas so that they are inclusive and reflect local needs.
Question
What words can I use to reassure my constituents that green belt land is not under threat?
Minister reply
We are committed to green belt protection, but the default ‘yes’ to settlements around stations on green belt land does not mean it is under threat.
Sonia Kumar
Lab
Dudley
Question
Will the Minister outline how Pride in Place funding and new planning reforms will revitalise Dudley town centre, and can he confirm that any new infrastructure will use local materials from local businesses?
Minister reply
The Department supports economic growth through substantial weight given to benefits of supporting business growth. The Minister is more than happy to sit down with his hon. Friend to discuss how Pride in Place initiatives work for her area.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Question
Can the Minister tackle Natural England’s guidance on nutrient neutrality and prevent vexatious judicial reviews against planning applications, to free up hundreds of millions of pounds in investment?
Minister reply
The solution lies in environmental delivery plans delivered through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which his hon. Gentleman's party voted against.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
Does the Minister agree that swift bricks can be used not just by swifts but also by house martins, sparrows and other birds, and does this demonstrate that building new homes doesn’t have to come at the cost of nature?
Minister reply
The new swift brick requirement in the framework will ensure all developments include swift bricks unless there are compelling reasons preventing their use. This is a significant strengthening of existing expectations.
Stratford-on-Avon
Question
Will the Minister look again at the impact of previous changes to national planning policy and commit to restoring a genuinely plan-led approach that puts housing allocation back in the hands of councils?
Minister reply
Annex B of the framework deals with viability specifically, aiming for an effective system that is fair and deals with constraints preventing development.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Question
How can local decision makers hold developers to account on stalled sites while ensuring protection of small pockets of beautiful green space in urban areas?
Minister reply
The protections and provisions that were in the draft framework last year have been carried across, including designation rights for councils. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will modernise planning committees.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
Why do housing targets increase significantly in Hinckley and Bosworth while Leicester city’s target decreases by 31%? This is seen as unfair to constituents.
Minister reply
The new standard method introduced increases housing targets in every metro area with the exception of London.
Derby North
Question
How will the Government’s clearer planning policies ensure that future growth is genuinely sustainable and linked to delivery of GP provision and other essential services?
Minister reply
The reforms through the draft framework make plan making and decision-making clearer and simpler, while local plans address needs around infrastructure.
Tom Morrison
LD
Cheadle
Question
How can constituents trust this Government when it comes to building sustainable communities given issues with Gatley and Heald Green stations?
Minister reply
We are setting out a clear definition of well-connected stations for consultation, covering 60% of train stations across the country.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Question
Can the Minister confirm that 40% of new homes would be mandatory at M4(2) standards and if this is a baseline for planning authorities?
Minister reply
The 40% figure is a minimum, not a target. Proposals recognise accessibility needs are locally specific.
Bradley Thomas
Con
Bromsgrove
Question
Will the Minister agree to meet him together with the leader of Bromsgrove district council to discuss the impact of this approach and forge a new path forwards?
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Question
The MP seeks reassurances about protecting vital nature spots like chalk streams while building much-needed homes.
Minister reply
We have included explicit recognition of chalk streams in the framework and will ensure local plans identify impacts on these sensitive areas. Local nature recovery strategies will map chalk streams and enhance them, ensuring consistent application of policy.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Question
The MP questions the Government's approach to balancing house building with environmental protection and calls for social housing targets.
Minister reply
We are not pitting development against the environment. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes measures to protect sensitive habitats, alongside £39 billion for new social and affordable homes.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Question
The MP enquires about specific measures to support planning in rural areas.
Minister reply
Significant funding has been allocated to enhance planning capacity in local authorities. The new framework will boost rural economies and allow development that supports farm modernisation and food production.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
The MP expresses concern about the impact of green-belt land release on Shropshire's green belt.
Minister reply
While we need to release appropriate green-belt land where necessary, our focus is on addressing the 1.3 million people on social housing waiting lists and the 170,000 children who are homeless.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Question
The MP asks how the proposals will benefit Harlow's builders, construction workers, and entrepreneurs.
Minister reply
We have a series of measures to support small and medium-sized house builders, along with councils and community-led housing initiatives.
Alex Brewer
LD
North East Hampshire
Question
The MP seeks clarification on the protection policies for chalk streams.
Minister reply
Local plans must identify impacts of development on chalk streams, potentially including buffer zones or green corridors to protect these unique habitats.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
The MP challenges the Government's reliance on brownfield land for housing.
Minister reply
We propose a permanent presumption in favour of development on brownfield land within settlements, alongside green-belt land release where necessary.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Question
The MP asks about sequencing public infrastructure and housing targets.
Minister reply
Vision-led transport is now hardwired through the framework to ensure infrastructure provision alongside new home delivery, addressing concerns raised.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
The MP inquires about traffic and environmental impact assessments for brownfield developments.
Minister reply
Local planning authorities will assess the adequacy of infrastructure, and applications may be refused if highway networks are inadequate.
Chichester
Question
The MP suggests that 'use it or lose it' planning permissions would address delays in housing delivery.
Minister reply
We are encouraging other providers to enter the market through a package for small and medium-sized house builders, promoting diversified development.
Robert Jenrick
Con
Question
The hon. Gentleman and I have had this discussion, or variants of it, many times. We have a slight difference of opinion over the role of housing targets; I think they are necessary and play an important role.
Minister reply
We want to see more community input, particularly upstream in the development of local plans. The Government are committed to driving local plans to adoption; we want to see universal coverage of local plans. The clear rules-based policies in this draft framework will help with the new plan-making system that we announced just weeks ago to ensure that we can drive up coverage in this Parliament.
Liz Jarvis
LD
Eastleigh
Question
I welcome the explicit protections for chalk streams—something I have long campaigned for, as the River Itchen runs through my constituency. Will the Minister also guarantee that local plans will be strengthened by the NPPF overhaul and that community input will not be undermined?
Minister reply
We want to see more community input, particularly upstream in the development of local plans. The Government are committed to driving local plans to adoption; we want to see universal coverage of local plans. The clear rules-based policies in this draft framework will help with the new plan-making system that we announced just weeks ago to ensure that we can drive up coverage in this Parliament.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Question
I welcome the ambition to build much-needed homes, especially social and affordable housing. However, in places such as Cherwell district in my constituency, the problem is not planning permissions. Under Liberal Democrat control, the council has already consented more than 10,000 homes; though consented, those homes have not yet been built, because the real blockage is delivery. Homes are not built because of a failure of grid capacity, supply chain costs and land banking by developers. These problems, which are outside the council’s control, now undermine its five-year housing land supply. The build-out consultation, which the Minister referred to, closed in the summer. Will he now commit to holding developers to account, once permission is granted, with real “use it or lose it” powers and to developing core infrastructure first, so that approved homes actually get built?
Minister reply
I was very clear that there is more that needs to be done to transform the failing housing system we inherited from the Conservatives. We need greater focus on reform and delivery; that will come next year. The regulatory and planning changes that will be made today—the culmination of 17 months of work to transform our planning system—are absolutely vital. We will come forward in due course with a response to proposals around build-out measures.
Shadow Comment
Gareth Bacon
Shadow Comment
The Labour Government's last planning framework pushed development onto rural areas, prioritising concreting over the green belt. This approach will continue under this Government with an assault on the green belt. In London, under its abysmal mayor, Labour failed to build enough housing and now it is failing to build the right kind of housing in urban areas where demand is highest and infrastructure exists.
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