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Andy Burnham has announced plans for what he described as the “biggest council housebuilding programme since the postwar period”, as part of a wider vision focused on devolution, infrastructure and regional growth.
\nThe announcement was made at People’s History Museum in Manchester on Monday, 29th June, following Keir Starmer’s recent decision to stand down as prime minister once a successor is in place.
\nAs part of the proposals, Burnham also introduced the concept of “No 10 North”, which would oversee the housebuilding programme. The proposed Manchester base is intended to support a wider shift of power and resources away from Whitehall, including more support for strategic and local authorities.
\nBurnham linked the council housebuilding plans to the loss of almost 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s and a similar number of people now on social housing waiting lists.
\nHis proposals also included using vacant public land to reduce costs, bringing higher-density residential development to towns and giving councils a stronger role in housing and regeneration.
\nThe wider policy proposals also included a focus on strengthening council resources, public procurement and place-based investment.
\nThe clear focus on council housebuilding has since prompted discussion around how the proposals could be delivered in practice
\nAccording to The Guardian, housing experts have highlighted delivery considerations including funding, local authority capacity, construction cost pressures and the role of private developers.
\nIndustry reaction has also focused on the practical conditions needed to deliver the pledge, including who would build the homes, how the programme would be funded and what would enable a faster rate of delivery.
\nThe Guardian also pointed to Collyhurst Village, part of Manchester’s 15,000-home Victoria North regeneration area, as an example of the scale and complexity involved in delivering council-led regeneration.
\nThe government has confirmed reforms to the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) as part of changes being delivered through the Planning and Infrastructure Act.
\nAccording to a recent press release published on gov.uk, the reforms will remove mandatory pre-application consultation requirements for NSIPs from 24 July.
\nThe changes could reportedly reduce the planning process for these projects by up to 12 months and potentially save developers £1 billion during this Parliament.
\nUnder the new approach, developers will receive earlier technical support and advice from the Planning Inspectorate before applications are submitted. Examinations will also focus on the key issues, to provide greater certainty for major infrastructure projects.
\nThe reforms are expected to support the delivery of infrastructure including wind and solar farms, nuclear plants, reservoirs and transport links.
\nSince taking the office, the government noted that 41 decisions have been made on major infrastructure projects, including Mona Offshore Wind Farm, Gate Burton Energy Park and the Lower Thames Crossing. These projects could support more than 82,000 jobs and generate more clean energy for homes and businesses.
\nThe government has also said it remains on track to decide at least 150 major infrastructure projects during this Parliament, compared with 59 Development Consent Order decisions in the previous Parliament.
\nThe wider reforms also include support for local authorities, which can now set their own fees to recover costs for NSIP-related work.
\nHousing Secretary Steve Reed said: “This government is determined to make the UK a world leader in building infrastructure.
\n“Our reforms will get work started quicker on wind farms, solar panels and transport links to connect our communities and grow our economy.” Visit the government’s website for more information.
\nDelivering a large-scale infrastructure project? TerraQuest has over 50 years’ experience providing expert land referencing services to support DCO and CPO processes. Find out how we can help.
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The National Housing Federation (NHF) has warned that proposed changes to section 106 agreements could affect the delivery of affordable homes in rural England, according to The Guardian.
\nChanges currently being considered under the National Planning Policy Framework could remove the existing requirement for medium-sized development sites of 10 to 49 homes to deliver affordable housing on site.
\nSection 106 agreements are used to secure affordable housing and other contributions from developers as part of the planning process. Under the proposals, developers could be allowed to make payments to local authorities instead of including affordable homes within their schemes, with the money earmarked for affordable housing elsewhere.
\nThe analysis found that more than half of affordable homes in the most rural parts of England are built on developments of this size. The National Housing Federation said ending the requirement could lead to 32,000 fewer affordable homes being delivered over the next 10 years. Section 106 agreements accounted for 36% of all affordable homes delivered in England in 2024-25.
\nThe proposals are being considered as ministers look at ways to support housebuilding, with developers facing higher finance and material costs. The Guardian has reported that ministers are expected to make a final decision within weeks.
\nYou can read more on the Guardian news
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