Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are unveiling an ambitious new housing policy focused on increasing the construction of apartment blocks in urban areas to meet their goal of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years. As one of Labour’s first acts in government Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, announced the return of compulsory housebuilding targets.
A key feature of this plan is the introduction of “planning passports,” which would streamline the planning approval process for housing projects that meet high standards of design and quality. The default position for planning authorities would be to approve such projects, significantly speeding up the process.
The policy is aimed at increasing urban density rather than encouraging the construction of more individual houses or bungalows, with a focus on multi-dwelling buildings. By building denser cities, Labour believes it can boost economic growth, improve transport infrastructure, and create more opportunities for people to live closer to their places of work.
Labour’s plans also involve the release of “grey belt” land (areas between the countryside and cities that are not officially protected like green belt land) and prioritising development on brownfield sites within city boundaries. Starmer emphasised that these housing efforts will involve extensive collaboration with local governments, mayors, and developers, aiming for a collective and accountable approach to delivering the homes the country needs.
This initiative represents a shift from the Conservative government’s approach, which had introduced housebuilding targets but later scaled them back under Michael Gove in 2023. Labour’s renewed focus on densification, especially in cities like Leeds, Liverpool, and others, is intended to drive growth, create a more dynamic economy, and address the housing crisis.
(Source: Guardian)