Government review to invigorate housebuilding and jobs in rural economies

A new government review will aim to slash the regulatory burdens faced by entrepreneurs and housebuilders in rural areas, potentially boosting jobs, homes and innovation outside Britain’s towns and cities.

During the Rural Planning Review, individuals and companies will have the chance the pitch their ideas on the ways in which the planning system could better support business expansion and the construction of new homes.

The government will also examine the current rules for converting agricultural buildings into residential property. Similar changes made in 2014 allowed housebuilders to create around 2,000 homes.

Set to be jointly published by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities and Local Government, the review forms part of the Rural Productivity Plan, which was launched by Chancellor George Osborne and Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss last year and seeks to boost rural economies by investing in education, infrastructure and connectivity.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark commented: “This government is building the much-needed new homes that we need to help hard-working families own their own home.

“The need for new homes doesn’t stop where our cities end, it’s just as real in rural towns and villages that need new housebuilding to keep thriving.”

He added: “That’s why we are looking carefully at how our planning reforms can deliver this whilst at the same time ensuring local people have more control over planning and the Green Belt continues to be protected.”