King’s Speech: what policy policies will new government reveal?

The new Labour Government will set out its legislative agenda today with the King’s Speech set to reveal its policy priorities.

Agents can expect legislation covering manifesto pledges on housebuilding and maybe even how seen Section 21 eviction notices will be banned.

A Housing Bill is expected to set out how Labour will keep to its manifesto pledge of building 1.5m homes over the next five years.

This may include planning overhauls and the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets.

It is also set to reclassify certain lower quality areas of the green belt for development.

But Fergus Charlton, a partner in law firm Michlemores' planning practice said this could be contentious.

He added: “There are powerful lobbies who consider the green belt to be sacrosanct. To be effective re-brandings must be so persuasive that the public forget the previous incarnation. Whether this happens will depend on the details of policy. If new developments in the grey built are still required to show 'very special circumstances' to proceed then little will be gained.
However, Charlton added that reintroducing mandatory housing targets for local councils is very welcome. 

He said: “This top-down approach has historically been effective at incentivising local authorities to approve more building.

“Setting clear targets could help overcome local opposition and NIMBYism that often blocks development. Reforming the payment of hope value under the compulsory purchase rules will make it cheaper for local authorities to acquire land for regeneration and affordable housing by compensating landowners based on current market value rather than potential future value with planning permission."