Keir Starmer will announce plans to reclassify certain areas of protected land, such as car parks, as suitable for development in order to build a ‘new generation’ of large towns with Georgian-style houses. These plans will be revealed at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, where Starmer will outline his vision for the next decade, including a target of constructing 1.5 million new homes in five years. To achieve this, Starmer proposes releasing ‘low-quality’ green belt land for housing, which would be referred to as ‘grey belt’ by Labour. The new towns would resemble Harlow, Welwyn Garden City, and other similar developments. Various sites, including the M1 corridor and areas around Cambridge, are being considered for these projects. Starmer’s plan involves streamlining the planning process, removing obstacles, and granting state-backed companies compulsory purchase powers. Infrastructure such as schools and GP surgeries will be integrated into the developments. While drawing a distinction from the Conservative party’s stance on housebuilding, Starmer will stress the importance of affordable housing and the need for a ‘decade of national renewal’. In interviews leading up to the conference, Labour frontbencher Pat McFadden emphasized the need for a faster construction process in the UK. Developers will be granted ‘planning passports’ for building on brownfield land, with a stronger presumption in favor of permission. The design specifications will focus on ‘gentle urban development’ and draw inspiration from the aesthetics of 18th and 19th-century tall townhouses. The Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats have differing opinions on housing development, with the Tories split between anti-development and pro-housing factions, while the Liberal Democrats insisted on including annual housebuilding targets in their manifesto. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has also promised to overhaul the planning system and expedite the approval process for major infrastructure projects.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel



Source link