On 17 August 2026, MHCLG announced changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) intended to accelerate the delivery of new homes in locations with strong public transport connections, while reducing some of the barriers that can contribute to delays in the planning process.
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “Building around railway stations is one undervalued mechanism to help solve the housing crisis, deliver great places and help make rail lines profitable. The policy also unlocks regional opportunity because it opens the door for one-hour regions, a concept that analyses the gaps, such as employment and leisure, in existing ten-minute cities and delivers them across the region in a commutable manner. However, to deliver this we would caution the Government to be brave by enabling tall buildings, such as those proposed in our ‘Community Density’ report, building out from existing rail stations, including new roads and where appropriate, reopening railway lines, particularly those operating as heritage attractions.”
Based on the principle that areas around established transport infrastructure can accommodate additional development without requiring the creation of entirely new transport networks. the reforms propose a default ‘yes’ to residential developments within an appropriate walking distance of well-connected railway, underground and tram stations. These are supported by minimum expectations for the volume of housing that should be provided in these locations.
The revised planning framework also seeks to reduce delays associated with consultation and technical processes, with councils will have greater scope to proceed without seeking input from certain public bodies where specialist advice is not considered necessary.
The package of measures, which aim to help the Government meet their housebuilding targets, formed part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation which closed on March 10 2026.
Rico Wojtulewicz, Director of Policy at the NFB, said: “The Government have shown that where they see a strategic opportunity, they can immediately implement consultation proposals. We therefore urge them to bring the ‘Medium sized site’ of between 10 and 49 homes, as soon as possible. Not only are medium sized sites the most likely to be delivered this parliament, therefore helping the Government’s meet its ambitious housebuilding targets but they will help our locally employing, workforce training and competitive market enabling SMEs, a group really struggling with a planning system built for big builders. The Government must act now if it is to Save our SMEs.”
