Propertymark has expressed support for the UK Government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but has raised concerns that the planning system needs to be more region-specific. In its response to the Government’s consultation on planning reforms, Propertymark highlighted the need for local councils to tailor housing developments to the specific demographics and demands of different regions. For example, some areas may require more homes for elderly residents, while others might need more affordable housing.

Key concerns raised by Propertymark members include:

1. Lack of local knowledge: Many planning officers do not fully understand the unique needs of their areas, leading to inconsistent planning decisions.
2. Cost of construction: Rising costs mean local councils must either build more affordable homes or provide subsidies to developers.
3. Landowner incentives: There is a shortage of incentives for landowners to sell land for development, slowing down housing delivery.
4. Energy efficiency and sustainability: Members stressed the need for new homes to be energy-efficient, prioritize brownfield sites, and not encroach on natural landscapes.
5. Long-term housing strategy: Without a cohesive strategy from successive governments, it is difficult to ensure that housing supply will meet future demands across various tenures.

Propertymark also emphasized the importance of supporting infrastructure, including transportation, healthcare, and education, when building new homes.

These concerns point to a call for a more tailored, localized approach to planning reforms that ensures housing developments meet the needs of individual communities while also being sustainable and future-proofed