UK Government Proposes Overhaul of Planning Rules to Accelerate Housing Development

Statutory consultees like Sport England and Theatres Trust may lose mandatory roles in planning decisions under reforms aimed at building 1.5 million homes.

The UK government plans to remove or narrow the roles of statutory consultees, such as Sport England and Theatres Trust, in the planning process to reduce delays and bureaucracy.
The reforms aim to address inefficiencies in the system, including slow responses, unnecessary objections, and overly stringent requirements from consultees.
Households near new or upgraded power infrastructure, such as pylons, could receive annual discounts of £250 on energy bills for 10 years as part of the proposed changes.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasized the need for a balanced system to meet housing targets while maintaining high standards for infrastructure and community needs.
Sport England and Theatres Trust have defended their roles, citing the importance of protecting community spaces and cultural institutions, and have called for a data-driven review of the proposals.