House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Reforming Local Plan-Making
27 November 2025 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Proposed by Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Reforms to the local plan-making system in England aim to speed up the process and ensure all areas contribute to building 1.5 million homes.
- The government is laying regulations for a new plan-making process with clearer steps for local planning authorities.
- 14 million in funding is being provided to support local plan-making this financial year.
Issue summary
The statement discusses reforms to the local plan-making system in England, aimed at speeding up the process and ensuring all areas contribute to building 1.5 million homes.
Action requested
The government is laying regulations that will set out a new process for producing plans more quickly and with clearer steps for local planning authorities. Local authorities are encouraged to start work on their plans as soon as possible after these regulations come into effect early next year, with backstop dates provided for those covered by transitional arrangements. Additionally, the government is providing £14 million of funding this financial year to support local plan-making and publishing guidance and tools to assist in implementing the new system.
Key facts
- The government aims for universal local plan coverage.
- Over £29 million has been awarded to 188 local planning authorities.
- Local plans must be submitted for examination by 31 December 2026 under existing legal framework.
- Authorities with outdated plans (over five years old) must commence formal plan making by April 2027.
- £14 million of funding is available this financial year to support local plan-making.
- The new system will not include the Duty to Cooperate but relies on revised national policy and strategic planning for cross-boundary co-operation.