Last week, King Charles addressed the nation to outline the priorities of our new Labour government. Some ambitious plans were set out, including many that will change the construction industry and self-build.
With major changes arriving in the coming years, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure your build meets the new criteria. Let’s look at the priorities set out and how they will affect your future self-build plans:
CHANGES TO POLICY
The first piece of key legislation to address is the government’s proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This bill will apply to England and Wales and aims to “unlock more housing and infrastructure across the country and support sustained economic growth”.
Here are some of the major elements which could affect self-building:
- Increasing the capacity of local planning authorities to improve decision-making and performance.
- Renovating planning committees to improve local decision-making.
- Reforming the rules for compulsory purchase compensation, which aims to ensure that compensation to landowners is “fair but not excessive”.
- Leveraging development projects to fund nature recovery initiatives, seeking to balance environmental conservation with the need for development.
The new government also plan on launching a consultation on an updated, growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to accelerate the development of housing and infrastructure. Opening in September 2024, the improved framework will assist in meeting the new housing targets.
The government are also seeking consultation on wider policy proposals in relation to local plan intervention criteria, increasing planning application fees for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NISPs).
These new policies will prioritise brownfield and grey belt land for development to meet housing targets where needed, meaning building your own home in these areas will become a more viable option.
“Our antiquated planning system leaves too many important projects getting tied up in years and years of red tape before shovels ever get into the ground. We said we would grasp the nettle of planning reform – and we are doing so.”
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Labour believes the changes to policy will support the government’s mission to grow the economy across the country, and that these new targets will lead into the development of local plans. As of 2024, only a third of local authorities have a plan that is under five years old. A Labour spokesperson also added: “take the tough decisions and step in where needed to drive progress, ensuring local areas get a say on how, but not if, homes are built”.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has listed delivering social and affordable homes at scale is her “number one priority”, ahead of a major planning announcement that takes place later this week.
Rayner also claimed the Affordable Homes Programme, which had been expected to deliver an estimated 180,000 homes when it was launched by the previous government in 2020, was unlikely to reach even a quarter of the initial goal.
The Labour government believe these changes are “a crucial step on the path to 1.5 million new homes”.
GREENER ENERGY AT THE FOREFRONT
Several measures have been listed in the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to prioritise upgrades to the national grid and boost renewable energy. To help speed up delivery on infrastructure such as transport and energy, the government will review how it can unlock critical infrastructure, without weakening environment protections.
As part of their clean energy mission, the new government will remove the de facto ban on onshore wind in England. The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary believes getting rid of this ban and giving priority for planning permission for much needed infrastructure sends an immediate signal to investors here and around the world that the UK is “back in business”.
“This Government is wasting no time in delivering the bold plan we need to take back control of our energy; boosting our energy independence and cutting bills for families as we tackle the climate crisis.”
Ed Miliband, Energy Security and Net Zero SecretaryThe government have committed themselves to making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. There will also be a new bill created to set up Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean-power company that will help boost energy security and build supply chains across the UK.
Labour have also promised to ‘decarbonise’ the UK’s construction industry by introducing a carbon border adjustment mechanism, which they believe will prevent countries from dumping lower-quality goods into British markets and support the UK to meet climate objectives.
If you’re a new self-builder, we’d advise looking at low-carbon construction methods and renewable energies to be set for the future.
POWER TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
The government has promised a renovation of planning committees in an effort to improve local decision making and increase local authority capacity. These changes should provide a “more predictable service to developers”, as well as pledging to “simplify the consenting process for major infrastructure projects and enable relevant, new and improved National Policy Statements to come forward”.
Labour has emphasised their belief in local leaders, and believes they are best placed to capitalise on opportunities, direct growth, and empower communities. This is why they have introduced the new English Devolution Bill. This enhanced framework will increase powers over strategic planning and local transport networks. New powers will also allow local leaders to produce local growth plans.
A new “right to buy” scheme will be introduced to assist local communities buying up empty shops, pubs and other disused spaces. This scheme aims to support struggling high streets in an effort to increase growth in our towns and cities. If successful, this could enable communities to play a role in the creation and maintenance of civic space.
The contents of the King's Speech will now be debated in the House of Commons, and the proposed new bills will be introduced and implemented shortly after.
Over one million homes granted permission since 2015 remain unbuilt, and we are hoping the ambitious plans laid out by our new government will make major changes to the self-build industry. The new Planning and Infrastructure Bill promises to streamline planning process, make green energy and the quest for ‘Net-Zero’ more of a priority, and increase the power local communities have over disused spaces.
Keep an eye on new legislation at www.gov.uk
