Nina Lloyd

The UK Government has published planning reforms intended to accelerate housebuilding in England, including a presumption in favour of homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected railway stations. The County Councils Network warns that the updated National Planning Policy Framework could override local plans, weaken community influence, shift power towards developers and encourage poorly planned development in rural areas. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner says mandatory local plans, brownfield-first development and green-belt protections will preserve local input while ensuring housing and infrastructure are delivered together. The Government remains just over a quarter of the way towards its five-year target of 1.5 million homes, while Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says the conflict between Washington and Tehran is weakening demand and increasing materials costs.

The UK Government plans to change planning rules so new vape shops and adult gaming centres would require specific council approval, while also proposing to remove the gambling law requirement that councils generally permit compliant betting premises. Andy Burnham said the measures would give communities more control over declining high streets, with Angela Rayner arguing that councils should be able to tackle businesses and premises seen as harmful or unsightly. Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK said the reforms may be ineffective without lower business rates and broader support for small businesses. Industry groups backed action against criminal operators but rejected claims that regulated betting shops are spreading unchecked and warned against conflating legitimate vape retailers with illicit traders. The Local Government Association welcomed the prospect of greater council powers to shape and regenerate town centres.