MediaResponding to the planned changes to national planning rules outlined by Angela Rayner, Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said:
“For far too long the building of new homes, new clean energy projects and new transport links have been held back by a planning system that stifles growth and opportunity.
“We now live in a world where building anything is illegal in large swathes of the county. But the changes outlined by the Deputy Prime Minister go some way in shifting the balance back in favour of those who want to get Britain building again and should be applauded.
“The only way we are going to see the homes, labs, wind farms and tramways delivered that will grow the economy is by overhauling our outdated planning system, and updating the national planning rules is an important part of this. This is especially true when it comes to housing - the Government is right to make housing targets bite, and also to unlock disused car parks and former industrial sites for housebuilding with new “grey belt” areas.
“But, there is still an awful lot to do. Ministers must urgently publish the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as without root and branch reform to our planning system - in particular our framework of environmental protections, judicial review, and consultations - Britain faces another lost decade.”