Labour Proposes Planning Overhaul 

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10 October 2023

At the Labour Party Annual Conference, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves proposed changes to the planning system in the UK that will “accelerate the building of critical infrastructure”.

At a speech at The Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, Rachel Reeves pledged to “take on our antiquated planning system”, investing in reforms that would fast-track infrastructure projects such as battery factories and life sciences. She also wants to set clearer national guidance for developers on the engagement and consultation expected with local communities, increase planning capacity across Local Authorities, and raise stamp duty surcharge on non-UK residents.

Industry Reactions 

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Martin McTague said: “The UK requires planning reform.  This is a clear, grown-up policy that will help deliver infrastructure projects we need to stay competitive, return to growth and stop the curse of chopping and changing. In particular, more local planning officers will help small housebuilders and other businesses deliver projects more quickly.

“Strong investment in transport and other infrastructure helps businesses do what they do best - to innovate, grow and provide the jobs and livelihoods central to local communities across the country. Coupled with strong statements on business rates and late payment, this is an encouraging start to the Labour conference as far as small businesses are concerned.”

CPRE Chief Executive Roger Mortlock said: “We desperately need renewables in the right place, but the creation of new renewables infrastructure must be plan-led, have the consent of local communities and not result in the loss of valuable agricultural land. Power lines should be installed underground where practical, particularly in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other protected landscapes. And we need to unleash the untapped potential of rooftop solar which could deliver more than half of our 2035 solar target. 

‘We also need an integrated land use strategy that incentivises greener land use decisions and delivers net-zero and nature’s recovery, as well as tackling the housing crisis.”

Picture: a photograph of Rachel Reeves. Image Credit: https://members.parliament.uk/member/4031/portrait via an Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 10 October 2023

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