The move was announced as part of Budget 2020, with chancellor Rishi Sunak revealing that the initial reforms will be set out this week.
In the Budget documents, HM Treasury noted that land availability, as constrained by the planning system, was the most significant barrier to building more houses.
It said: “The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will shortly set out comprehensive reforms to bring the planning system into the 21st century, followed by a Planning White Paper in the spring.”
It noted that the reforms will aim to create a “simpler planning system and improve the capacity, capability and performance of Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to accelerate the development process”.
“Where LPAs fail to meet their local housing need, there will be firm consequences, including a stricter approach taken to the release of land for development and greater government intervention,” it continued.
“The government will also explore long-term reforms to the planning system, rethinking planning from first principles, to ensure the system is providing more certainty to the public, LPAs and developers.”
