UK planning reforms default approve homes near stations, green belt included

The UK government has announced major planning reforms that will make it easier to build new homes near railway stations across England, even on protected green belt land. The changes, part of an overhaul to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on August 17, 2026, introduce a default "yes" for housing proposals located within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations.

The policy is designed to help address the housing crisis and meet the government's target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the reforms would unlock thousands of homes around transport hubs. "A safe, secure home is the foundation of opportunity, but too many people are being priced out of the communities where they want to live and work," she stated.

Under the new rules, developments will receive default approval if they are within approximately 800 metres of a station served by at least two trains per hour. A key condition is the imposition of minimum density expectations for new housing, aiming to prevent sprawling, low-density projects and encourage a mix of home types, from apartments to family houses. Transport Secretary Heidi...