Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 18, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleThe UK will approve new homes near railway stations by default to meet housing goals. Changes to planning regulations aim to build 1.5 million homes by 2029.
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said planning applications for new homes near railway stations would receive a default 'yes' in future if they meet certain rules as it steps up efforts to encourage house building by reducing obstacles.
The government wants to build 1.5 million homes before the next election, due in 2029, but figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility earlier this year forecast it will fall short.
Under proposals announced on Tuesday, councils will also be required to alert the housing minister if they intend to reject a new housing development of 150 homes or more, and the minister will have the final say on whether it goes-ahead.
Since winning power last year, Britain's Labour government has said it wants to overhaul what it calls a broken planning system, to allow more building and help drive growth.
"We're making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet," housing minister Steve Reed said in a statement.
Housebuilders will be encouraged to build more homes near transport hubs because of the positive impact on jobs and growth, the government said.
The new rules about housing near stations will extend to land designated as 'Green Belt', which usually provides protection against urban sprawl.
The changes will be proposed in a new National Planning Policy Framework, which will be consulted on later this year, the government said.
(Reporting by Maya Baylis, Editing by Paul Sandle)
Urban development refers to the process of improving and expanding urban areas through construction, infrastructure, and housing projects to accommodate growing populations and enhance living conditions.
Planning regulations are laws and guidelines that govern land use and development, ensuring that construction projects comply with local zoning laws and community standards.
A Green Belt is an area of open land around a city or urban area where development is restricted to prevent urban sprawl and protect the countryside.
Housing construction involves the building of residential properties, including single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums, to provide shelter for individuals and families.
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