Labour sets out ambitious plans to get Britain building 

Rachel Reeves, the Labour Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, has made her first big speech promising to “get Britain building again”. 

Her speech, echoing the promises made in the Labour Party manifesto, sets out an ambitious programme of change that intends to deliver 1.5 million new homes, including affordable and council housing, before the end of this parliament.  

The Chancellor’s speech set out the government agenda that will: 

• Restore mandatory housebuilding targets. 

• End the onshore wind farm ban. 

• Create a new task force to accelerate stalled housing sites. 

• Support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country. 

• Review planning applications previously turned down that could help the economy. 

• Prioritise brownfield and grey belt land for development to meet housing targets when needed. 

• Reform the planning system to “deliver the infrastructure that our country needs”. 

• Set out new policy intentions for critical infrastructure in the coming months. 

The government has yet to provide much detail on how it will achieve its ambition, but in ending immediately the ban on onshore windfarms it does appear hungry to act.  

Given the appetite of the new government, there will undoubtedly be new opportunities for landowners and developers to revisit or bring forward new schemes and plans. 

To navigate these changes effectively, assembling the right team is crucial. Our dedicated Real Estate experts work alongside with lawyers, agents, and property specialists, offering advice on funding, project structuring, and tax management. 

Our experts are on hand to keep you informed through our updates on key consultations and the government’s critical Autumn Budget. If you have any questions or would to discuss any topics in this article please contact our Real Estate team today.