More than 50 Labour MPs are demanding Sir Keir Starmer not give in to NIMBYs and deliver ‘revolutionary’ reforms of the planning system.
The Labour Growth Group has written to the PM urging him to ‘back the builders and not the blockers’ and fulfil the party’s vow to deliver 1.5million new homes.
They called on the Government to make ‘tough choices’ and warned a ‘failure to act will not be forgiven by the public’.
Ms Rayner confirmed Labour’s reforms are set to include rebranding some green belt land as ‘grey belt’, which is deemed to be poor quality, for building houses.
Labour’s overhaul of existing rules is set to be revealed in an update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – a 78-page document that sets out planning policies for England and how these should be applied.
More than 50 Labour MPs are demanding Sir Keir Starmer not give in to NIMBYs and deliver ‘revolutionary’ reforms of the planning system
The Labour Growth Group has written to the PM urging him to ‘back the builders and not the blockers’ and fulfil the party’s vow to deliver 1.5million new homes
It comes as Deputy PM Angela Rayner prepares to unveil an overhaul of planning rules before MPs head away from Westminster on their summer recess on Tuesday
Ms Rayner and Sir Keir are under pressure to deliver ‘sweeping’ reforms to the planning system by the 54-strong Labour Growth Group
In an article for the Observer, Ms Rayner said that ‘delivering social and affordable houses at scale’ is her ‘number one priority’.
She added the planning system should be ‘a launchpad’ rather than a ‘millstone’ dragging down the housing market.
Her reforms will include bringing back mandatory housing targets that were scrapped by the previous Government and introducing ‘golden rules’ to ensure development works for local people and protects nature.
Ms Rayner said the Government was ‘committed to preserving the green belt’, but added: ‘We need to move away from this broken system.
‘That’s why we’re committed to taking a more strategic approach, prioritising poor-quality grey-belt land for building.’
These are likely to be areas that are old car parks or wastelands, as well as some green spaces with ‘little intrinsic beauty or character’.
Ms Rayner and Sir Keir are under pressure to deliver ‘sweeping’ reforms to the planning system by the 54-strong Labour Growth Group.
Their letter to the PM, sent on Saturday, read: ‘We are writing to you to make clear that it’s in the national interest to start delivering on our manifesto promise, including 1.5million more homes across this parliament at the earliest opportunity.
‘A failure to act will not be forgiven by the public. Britain has a housing crisis and a huge infrastructure deficit – without strong and immediate action, this will only worsen.
‘But we know this will mean tough choices. It will mean backing the builders, and not the blockers.
‘It will mean delivering infrastructure and public services alongside new homes to unlock economic opportunities, and prioritising grey belt development.
‘And it will mean difficult conversations in our own communities about how, not whether we deliver our targets.’
One member of the group, Dover and Deal MP Mike Tapp, told the Mirror: ‘Revolutionary planning reform is crucial to creating homes and the infrastructure and public services we need to deliver our growth mission.
‘I’m determined that we will deliver a new generation of council housing and develop communities with care and attention to the services they deserve.
‘More housing and more infrastructure is at the heart of the ticket we were elected on.’
Tory leader Rishi Sunak recently lashed out at Labour’s bid to overhaul the planning system as he warned against denying local people a say on new developments.
The ex-PM said the Government’s plans will ‘damage public consent for more housing in the long-term’.
Responding to Labour’s legislative plans, as set out in the King’s Speech, Mr Sunak told the House of Commons: ‘We all wish to see more homes built and the planning process speeded up.
‘But I would say a system that does not allow local people to have a say will damage public consent for more housing in the long term.’
