The National Federation of Builders welcomes Queen’s Speech plans to increase planning certainty
National Federation of Builders
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomes reports in The Sun newspaper that the Government will use the Queen’s speech to set out a number of planning reforms.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “The NFB represents all types of businesses and today’s rumoured announcements will help all of them, from businesses that demolish sites and build extensions, to developers who build out existing communities but struggle with a broken planning process. We look forward to helping shape the policies that the Government brings forward.”
The planned reforms are set to include: adding extra storeys to homes without necessarily needing planning permission, building on the greenbelt where developments already exists and operating a system of rebates when local planning authorities do not grant planning permissions in the statutory period.
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing at the House Builders Association (HBA), said: “The Government is correct to focus on planning reform, especially the delay-ridden planning process and objection to building on strategic green sites. If implemented, we should see many more of the right homes built in the right places and ensure fewer builders go out of business because local authorities cannot grant permissions in time.”
