Government’s ‘Plan for Change’ Sets Milestones for Rebuilding Britain

The Government published its Plan for Change on 5th December which sets out a number of milestones for ‘Rebuilding Britain’. It aims for the development of ‘1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects.’

As part of this plan, the Government is committing to 10-year strategies for housing and infrastructure this spring, with clear priorities, plans to deliver and a pipeline of projects for investors and supply chains.

The Government has committed to providing an additional £500m in the Affordable Homes Programme, taking the annual budget to £3.1bn in 2025.

The missions set out in the Plan for Change require ‘a partnership between public and private sectors, national and local Government, business and unions, alongside the whole of civil society.’ Recently, it was announced that the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement will provide £69 billion for councils across the country. Local councils will be empowered to buy cheaper land through the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders and build much needed homes and infrastructure to meet the Government’s goal.

These proposed changes mean councils, Mayoral Combined Authorities and other public bodies, including Homes England, will be able to directly take control of vacant and derelict land from landowners paying a fair price and not inflated ‘hope value’ costs, where they are delivering in the public interest. ‘Hope value’ estimates the cost land could be worth if developed on in the future, meaning many councils are often forced to pay thousands of pounds more to buy land for development or get caught in lengthy disputes over costs. 

The reforms expand existing legislation allowing ‘hope value’ to be removed in more circumstances where social and affordable housing is being built, accelerating housebuilding, helping more families on to the property ladder and to get more of the social and affordable homes communities need built, as well as making a positive use of unsightly, vacant land.