A "new planning system" that will see new housing, hospitals, schools, shops and offices on land designated for growth automatically granted planning permission in England has been announced by UK housing secretary Robert Jenrick.
Under the new regulations, described by Jenrick as a "once in a generation reform", land will be divided into three categories "for growth, for renewal or for protection".
Planning permission will be granted "automatically" in growth areas, with "permission in principle" given in renewal areas.
"Land designated for growth will empower development ? new homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices will be allowed automatically," Jenrick wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. "Renewal areas will enable much quicker development with a 'permission in principle' approach to balance speed while ensuring appropriate checks are carried out."
"Complex and slow planning system barrier to building homes"
According to Jenrick, who became secretary of state for housing, communities and local government in 2019, the action is being taken to speed up the planning process and create more homes.
Jenrick blamed the current "lengthy and absurdly complex" planning process as the reason for high housing costs in England and delays to infrastructure projects.

"Our complex and slow planning system has been a barrier to building homes which are affordable, where families want to ...