NEWS·FEBRUARY 2026
Planning Reform and Housing Delivery Targets Back in Focus
Government pressure to accelerate housing delivery is once again moving to the top of the political agenda.
NEWS·FEBRUARY 2026
Planning Reform and Housing Delivery Targets Back in Focus
Government pressure to accelerate housing delivery is once again moving to the top of the political agenda.
Proposed planning changes are focused on streamlining decision making, increasing local authority accountability and unlocking stalled strategic sites. There is also renewed discussion around the treatment of grey belt land and the balance between environmental constraints and housing need.
For development land markets, clarity is crucial. Strategic land promoters are watching closely, as any relaxation in policy could materially impact land values, particularly on edge of settlement sites with strong transport connectivity.
However, viability remains sensitive. Build costs, Section 106 contributions and affordable housing requirements continue to weigh on appraisals. In many markets, landowners have not yet fully adjusted expectations to reflect current development margins.
If reform delivers greater certainty and shorter determination periods, it would significantly improve risk adjusted returns for housebuilders and mixed use developers. Until then, the market is likely to remain cautious in underwriting long dated schemes.
Proposed planning changes are focused on streamlining decision making, increasing local authority accountability and unlocking stalled strategic sites. There is also renewed discussion around the treatment of grey belt land and the balance between environmental constraints and housing need.
For development land markets, clarity is crucial. Strategic land promoters are watching closely, as any relaxation in policy could materially impact land values, particularly on edge of settlement sites with strong transport connectivity.
However, viability remains sensitive. Build costs, Section 106 contributions and affordable housing requirements continue to weigh on appraisals. In many markets, landowners have not yet fully adjusted expectations to reflect current development margins.
If reform delivers greater certainty and shorter determination periods, it would significantly improve risk adjusted returns for housebuilders and mixed use developers. Until then, the market is likely to remain cautious in underwriting long dated schemes.