With the UK housing crisis showing no signs of slowing, the government’s latest round of planning reform, announced in March 2025, aims to inject urgency and efficiency into a notoriously sluggish system
Brought to you by Build Warranty Group – Official Partners of the Planning Portal
Promising a more streamlined process for major developments, these reforms are being hailed by ministers as a “planning revolution” — but whether they can live up to the hype remains to be seen.
At the heart of the planning reform package is a fast-track route for strategic infrastructure and large-scale housing projects. Local authorities will now be subject to tighter deadlines to process applications, with central government given new powers to call in developments that are stalled or obstructed at local level. This has caused concern in some quarters, with critics warning it could lead to centralised overreach and reduced community input.
Reforming planning delays
However, for much of the construction industry, this is a welcome intervention. Delays in planning have long been cited as a key barrier to housebuilding, with developers frequently facing years of uncertainty due to slow decision-making and inconsistent policies between councils. The new reforms include penalties for authorities that fail to meet processing deadlines, as well as funding incentives for those embracing digital planning tools.
There’s also a significant shift in tone regarding the green belt. While ministers have insisted protections remain, there is now explicit encouragement to “review and reclassify” underutilised or low-value green belt land. This is likely to generate fierce debate, particularly in high-demand areas like the South East, where housing pressure is greatest.
Another notable change is the expansion of permitted development rights (PDR). These now include greater flexibility for converting commercial buildings to residential use, provided they meet space and energy efficiency standards.
While this could unlock thousands of new homes in urban centres, there are questions around design quality, local infrastructure strain and the loss of community space.
For developers and construction professionals, the big opportunity lies in the ability to plan ahead with greater certainty. Faster decision-making could allow for more accurate cost projections, improved build schedules and quicker routes to market. But the devil will be in the detail — and in how well resourced local planning departments are to handle these changes.
Demand for structural warranties
From a warranty and risk management perspective, Build Warranty sees both opportunity and responsibility.
The expected surge in developments will drive a sharp increase in demand for structural warranties and professional certification. With its partnership with the Planning Portal, Build Warranty is well positioned to respond, with scalable systems, experienced surveyors nationwide and streamlined onboarding for developers and brokers.
By integrating with Planning Portal and adopting digital-first processing, Build Warranty is ensuring rapid turnaround times without compromising on technical due diligence or build quality assurance.
In theory, these reforms could mark a turning point for the construction industry — accelerating delivery of much-needed homes and infrastructure. But unless local planning authorities are given the tools and capacity to keep pace, there’s a real risk the system could buckle under pressure.
As ever, implementation will be the true test — and Build Warranty stands ready to support the industry through the transition.
Visit us at: www.buildwarranty.co.uk
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
The post Planning reform 2025: Will fast-tracking deliver on its promise? appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
