Overview

• Developers will face fines and risk losing land if they fail to meet construction deadlines or leave sites unfinished.
• New rules require housebuilders to commit to delivery timelines and submit annual progress reports to councils before receiving planning permission.
• Penalties for speculative land trading and unbuilt homes aim to discourage delays and increase housing supply.
• Large developments with over 40% affordable housing are expected to be built twice as quickly under the proposed measures.
• Housing charity Shelter has welcomed the tougher stance, emphasizing the urgent need to address the 1.3 million households waiting for social housing.