Angela Rayner's Bold Planning System Reforms: What the Latest Consultation Means for UK Development
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced sweeping changes to England's planning system, with the most recent consultation focusing on streamlining statutory consultees to accelerate development. These reforms represent the government's most ambitious attempt to tackle the housing crisis and deliver on their promise of 1.5 million new homes by 2030.
The Latest Consultation: Reforming Statutory Consultees
In March 2025, Rayner unveiled plans to overhaul the statutory consultee system - the network of over 25 organisations legally required to provide advice on planning applications. The consultation, launching this spring, proposes removing several key bodies from the mandatory consultation process, including:
Sport England - Previously required to assess impacts on sports facilities and playing fields
Theatres Trust - Responsible for protecting theatre buildings and spaces
The Gardens Trust - Focused on historic parks and gardens protection
These changes aim to address chronic delays in the planning system, with over 300 applications in the past three years requiring escalation to the Secretary of State due to consultee disagreements. One notable case in Bradford saw a 140-home development delayed because concerns about "the speed of cricket balls" weren't adequately addressed.
A Comprehensive Reform Programme
Rayner's planning reforms extend far beyond the statutory consultee consultation, representing a multi-faceted approach to modernising England's development framework:
Mandatory Housing Targets
The government has introduced mandatory housebuilding targets for local councils, raising the annual target from 300,000 to over 370,000 homes. These targets shift from population-based calculations to metrics considering housing stock and local need.
Green Belt Strategy
While prioritising brownfield development, the reforms include strategic Green Belt release where housing targets cannot be met on previously developed land. Developments on former Green Belt land must include:
At least 50% affordable housing
Enhanced green spaces
Social infrastructure like GP surgeries and schools
Planning Committee Overhaul
A national delegation scheme will streamline decision-making, allowing applications that comply with local development plans to bypass planning committees entirely. This includes:
Mandatory training for planning committee members
Dedicated committees for strategic developments
Enhanced powers for planning officers
Infrastructure Fast-tracking
Critical infrastructure projects including data centres, laboratories, and renewable energy schemes may be classified as Nationally Significant
Infrastructure Projects, enabling them to bypass local planning requirements.
Economic Impact and Industry Response
The government estimates these reforms will add £7.5 billion to the UK economy over the next decade. Industry leaders have responded positively, with the Home Builders Federation expressing hope that the reforms will "increase supply and tackle the country's housing shortage."
However, concerns remain about implementation challenges, including:
Skills shortages in the construction sector
Local community opposition
Infrastructure capacity constraints
What This Means for Developers and Local Authorities
For Developers
Faster approvals for compliant applications
Reduced uncertainty through streamlined processes
Clearer pathways for major infrastructure projects
Brownfield advantages with preferential treatment
For Local Authorities
Mandatory compliance with housing targets
Enhanced powers to drive development
Simplified processes reducing administrative burden
Strategic planning requirements across regions
The Consultation Process
The spring 2025 consultation on statutory consultees represents just one element of ongoing planning reform. Key aspects include:
21-day response deadlines for remaining consultees
Performance frameworks with ministerial oversight
Standing guidance replacing case-by-case responses
Focused remit on heritage, safety, and environmental protection
Challenges and Criticisms
Critics argue the reforms may lead to:
Reduced protection for community facilities
Car-dependent suburban sprawl
Insufficient affordable housing delivery
Weakened environmental safeguards
The Community Planning Alliance warns of "a huge increase in car-dependent, infrastructure-last greenfield developments without appropriate levels of affordable housing."
Implementation Timeline
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introduced in March 2025, will provide the legislative framework for these changes. Key milestones include:
Spring 2025: Statutory consultee consultation launches
2025: Revised National Planning Policy Framework
Throughout 2025: Local authority compliance with new targets
By 2030: Delivery of 1.5 million new homes target
Long-term Vision
Beyond immediate reforms, the government is developing a long-term housing strategy that includes:
New Towns programme for communities of 10,000+ homes
Strategic planning coverage across England
Nature recovery integration with development
Infrastructure delivery streamlining
Conclusion
Angela Rayner's planning reforms represent the most significant overhaul of England's development system in decades. While the consultation on statutory consultees addresses immediate bureaucratic barriers, the broader reform programme tackles systemic issues that have constrained housing delivery for years.
Success will depend on effective implementation, industry capacity, and community buy-in. As the consultation progresses, stakeholders must engage constructively to ensure these ambitious reforms deliver the homes England desperately needs while maintaining essential protections for communities and the environment.
The reforms signal a clear government commitment to prioritising growth and development, but their ultimate success will be measured by the quality and quantity of homes delivered over the coming years.
Add your say on the consultation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/get-on-and-build-deputy-prime-minister-urges-housebuilders