At Criterion Capital we are enthusiastic about Labour’s commitment to placing planning reform at the heart of their economic and political agenda. We commend their vision for overhauling the current planning system to support affordable housing, community engagement and environmental sustainability.

Labour’s proposed reforms, including mandatory local housing targets, increased recruitment of planners and a “brownfield-first” approach, represent significant opportunities for growth and development across the country.

We are optimistic that these changes will facilitate more efficient and equitable development practices, benefitting both urban and rural areas.

However, as a landowner and developer, we seek further clarification on specific aspects of these proposals. How will community input be handled effectively to ensure balanced and timely decision-making? How will the new “grey belt” classification be defined and managed? Understanding these details will be crucial as we navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and strive to contribute to the housing and infrastructure goals outlined by Labour.

Criterion looks forward to engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to support the implementation of these transformative policies to help drive sustainable development across the UK.