Sweeping planning changes are good news for North East

Big changes just announced to the country’s planning system could help more people in the North East on to the property ladder once the economy is back on track, a Newcastle-based industry expert has said.

The Government’s latest set of planning reforms include measures to help speed up the building of new homes and set a deadline for local authorities to finalise their Local Plans.

James Hall, partner at planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore, said the recent announcement from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick was good news for the region.

He explained: “The Government has pledged to make a number of changes that could really help boost house building in the North East and get more people on to the property ladder, once the economy is back on track.

“Part of the package is a promise to review the formula that councils use to assess housing need – something that currently holds back house building in many areas.

“The Housing Secretary has set out a stricter approach to making land available for development and pushing councils to progress plans.

“In the North East that should result in more, much-needed new homes.”

The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: “I want everyone, no matter where they live, to have access to affordable, safe, quality housing and live in communities with a real sense of place – as part of our mission to level up, unite and unleash the potential of this country.

“We must think boldly and creatively about the planning system to make it fit for the future, and this is just the first step, so we can deliver the homes communities need and help more young people onto the ladder.”