This is a quick guide to the array of changes proposed in the Housing and Planning Bill published by Government on 13 October 2015:

  1. Granting "in principle" consent for housing sites which are allocated in a Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plan or listed on a local authority's brownfield list which they are required to produce (initially up to 10 homes only).
  2. Following on from the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act published earlier this year, there is a duty on local authorities to grant sufficient planning permissions on serviced land to meet the demand for self-build/custom build (subject to exemptions).
  3. Financial benefits to a local area (such as CIL) derived from planning permissions to be recorded in officers reports to committee, whether they are material or not to the planning decision.
  4. Providing the Mayor with wider "call in powers" to determine planning applications in London.
  5. "Non-major" development applications (or other categories) could be made to the Secretary of State where the local authority has a very poor record of delivery.
  6. More prompt delivery of Local Plans through greater intervention powers by the Secretary of State, from the local development scheme, through to "calling in" a development plan for his determination. Includes the ability of the Secretary of State to issue holding directions during the Local Plan process and recover charges for intervening.
  7. The ability for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) proposals to contain an element of housing, both for workers and, more significantly, where the housing has a geographical link instead.
  8. Various new duties in respect of Neighbourhood Planning including setting a statutory time limit for local authorities to designate neighbourhood areas following a request to do so; a time limit in which to hold a referendum, and a time limit within which the plan must be adopted. Local authorities must also notify neighbourhood forums of planning applications received in the forum area.
  9. Providing the first step towards a statutory planning framework for the delivery of Starter Homes. The Bill proposes that local authorities promote the supply of Starter Homes when preparing local plans and determining applications. Local authorities will only be able to grant planning permission for Starter Homes where the specific requirements of the Act are met. Whether Affordable Housing terminology will include Starter Homes in the future is unclear.

The Bill could be enacted next summer following which further Regulations and secondary legislation will be formalised.

More on Starter Homes in a future DRE Blog.

The Housing and Planning Bill 2015-2016 is a public bill introduced to Parliament by the Government. The first reading of the Bill took place on 13 October 2015. The first reading is formal and takes place without any debate. The second reading of the Bill is scheduled for 2 November 2015 when the general principles of the Bill will be debated.

The Housing and Planning Bill (HC Bill 75) can be found here.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.