Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces new housing targets and lifts ban on onshore wind farms.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced plans to reintroduce mandatory housing targets and lift the effective ban on building onshore wind farms in her first statement as chancellor. She emphasized the urgency of boosting economic growth and infrastructure development, including the construction of 1.5 million homes in the next five years.
Ms. Reeves also pledged to provide an update on public finances to Parliament before the start of the summer recess on Aug. 8 and set a date for the government’s first budget later this year, accompanied by a forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Housing Targets
The government will revise the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) with a focus on growth, including the restoration of mandatory housing targets. Under Labour’s plan, an additional 300 planning officers will be deployed nationwide to ensure universal coverage of local plans and greenbelt boundary reviews.
The review will prioritize the development of brownfield and low-quality greenbelt land to meet housing targets and deliver affordable and social housing units.
Additionally, a new task force will work on accelerating stalled housing projects, starting with sites in Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe, and Langley Sutton Coldfield.
Onshore Wind Farm ‘Ban’
The chancellor announced the lifting of restrictions on new wind farms and centralizing decision-making on large developments. The government also intends to bring onshore wind projects under the “nationally significant infrastructure projects” regime.
Labour’s policy paper outlines the scrapping of tests that applied only to onshore wind farms, addressing concerns raised by opponents and industry stakeholders.
The move to lift the ban on onshore wind farms was welcomed by Dan McGrail, chief executive of RenewableUK, who praised the government’s commitment to clean energy infrastructure development.
While there may be differing opinions on the efficacy of onshore wind as an energy source, supporters highlight its benefits in generating low-cost electricity, enhancing energy security, and mitigating climate change.
Infrastructure Building
In her seven-point plan, Ms. Reeves highlighted the government’s focus on energy projects and the expansion of energy planning to other infrastructure sectors. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing infrastructure projects and reviewing rejected applications to stimulate regional and national economies.
Ms. Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will work with relevant departments to accelerate infrastructure projects and ensure investment opportunities are identified and considered for planning approval.
Overall, Labour’s initiatives aim to revitalize infrastructure development, boost economic growth, and advance sustainability goals.
Owen Evans contributed to this report.
