Loosening of planning rules in England to allow more new homes near stations

<p>Angela Rayner to launch guidance for ‘default yes’ on developments near transport hubs, including on green belt sites</p><p>Thousands more homes could be built within 10 minutes of transport hubs, including on green belt sites, under a loosening of planning policy announced by Angela Rayner on Monday.</p><p>The housing secretary will set out changes to national planning guidance for England that will include an order for councils to have a “default yes” approach to housing developments that are within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations.</p><p>Stronger support in principle for development, meaning a more explicit presumption in favour of building in sustainable locations.</p><p>Pubs will get <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/16/angela-rayner-pubs-developers-houses-offices-planning-shakeup">protection from being turned into housing or offices</a> with developers having to prove there is no reasonable prospect of keeping a pub as a going concern, including evidence that it was marketed for sale for at least a year.</p><p>A requirement for at least 40% of homes to be accessible on bigger developments and stronger protections for community facilities.</p><p>Stronger support for growth and infrastructure including support for AI growth zones and datacentres.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/17/loosening-planning-rules-england-more-homes-train-stations-rayner">Continue reading...</a>