Cities to build on brownfield sites in planning overhaul

CITIES that fail to meet tough new housing targets will be forced to build on brownfield sites to “protect our precious countryside”, Rishi Sunak has announced.

Today, the Prime Minister will champion an overhaul of planning rules designed to protect the greenbelt while boosting the number of new homes.

Under the proposals millions of homeowners will also be allowed to build bigger extensions to their property without having to get planning permission.

Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, will unveil the changes after warning young voters risk being turned away from democracy if more homes are not built.

Rules have been drawn up which will mean the 20 biggest cities have to fulfil 95 per cent of their housing needs or be made to build on brownfield sites.

To help them hit the target the laws around converting commercial buildings like former office blocks and department stores into flats are being relaxed.

Ministers said the reforms will “overcome tiresome bureaucracy” and allow thousands of properties across England to be repurposed as new homes.

Downing Street has London in particular in its sights after accusing Sadiq Khan, the capital’s Labour Mayor, of failing to approve enough new developments.

Mr Sunak said: “We pledged to build the right homes in the right places – protecting our precious countryside and building more in urban areas where demand is highest.”

Under the current rules, councils only have to meet 75 per cent of their annual housing requirement to avoid being forced into allowing more brownfield development.

Ministers are now increasing that target to 95 per cent, in a move that they have said will deliver up to 11,500 extra new homes every year in the capital alone.

Mr Gove said the Government was “taking a brownfield-first approach to deliver thousands of new homes where people want to live and work, without concreting over the countryside”.

Under the changes, millions of homeowners will also be able to build bigger extensions and loft conversions without needing permission.