Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government Angela Rayner said the common-sense changes will fast-track quality homes in well-connected areas, making better use of underdeveloped land around stations while creating jobs, unlocking investment, driving growth and connecting communities.

Under the UK government’s new National Planning Policy Framework, there will be a default ‘yes’ for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations, alongside new minimum expectations for how much housing should be built in these areas.

Secretary of State Rayner said: “A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work.

“By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.

“That’s how we’ll tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country.” 

Other changes seek to protect pubs and music venues from being lost without good reason.

The changes will also make it easier for councils to approve developments that create jobs, unlock investment, and deliver the shops, leisure facilities, clean energy and food production local areas need.

The government said it is also cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by reducing blanket consultation requirements that have slowed planning decisions.

Councils will no longer need sign-off from public bodies where specialist advice is not needed, while expert input will be focused on the cases where it adds most value. Sport England will continue to advise on significant cases, and the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust will still be notified of relevant applications so they can play an important role in the planning process.

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said: “It’s positive news that the UK Government’s National Planning Policy Framework will include provision to improve communities’ access to public transport.

“People consistently prioritise well-developed local infrastructure when deciding where to live. However, all proposals must be carefully scrutinised to ensure individual developments form part of a coherent wider picture, rather than creating small, isolated communities that may not work in harmony with one another.”