Keir Starmer vows ‘rocket booster’ plan to spice up housebuilding in cities

Keir Starmer has vowed to put “rocket boosters” under housebuilding, tearing up planning rules and allowing more homes to be built in urban areas where they’re most needed.

“Planning passports” will mean developments on brownfield land will be fast-tracked for approval as long as they meet high design and quality standards. The changes would mean less wasted space in cities – with fewer bunglaows and more dense housing in high demand areas.

Labour believe denser cities will be a key part of boosting growth, because it will allow more people to live near to where they work. “The dream of homeownership has been out of reach for so many hard working people for far too long,” the PM told the Mirror.

“Housebuilding has stalled and planning changes blocked. The country has been held back. Working alongside our Mayors and local leaders, the new planning passports will put rocket boosters under housebuilding. They mean that where development proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer will be yes, not no.”

Central government will work closely with developers, Mayors and council leaders to boost housebuilding in the coming years – with 1.5 million new homes promised by the end of Labour’s first term in office. Mr Starmer added: “I mean what I said before the election: Labour are the Party of aspiration, security and growth. We don’t shy away from tough decisions. We are the builders, not the blockers.”

Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Brownfield development is complex and the ‘passports’ concept represents a huge opportunity to support the Government’s ambitions for more housing and growth, whilst at the same time breathing new life into our towns and cities. Making use of existing land and infrastructure also makes perfect sense in a world where sustainability is vital.”

Mark Allan, Chief Executive of Landsec, the UK’s largest commercial property developer, said: “The announcement of ‘brownfield passports’ is a positive step. Combined with the Government’s wider reforms to planning policy, they create a significant opportunity to maximise the delivery of new homes and boost economic growth.

“Through our own research, we know urban communities see brownfield land as wasted potential, and are ready to embrace the opportunities it presents. It’s welcome that the Government also recognises the challenges associated with brownfield sites, and is providing both us and our partners in local government with tools to accelerate the homes, growth and jobs people want to see.”