Default ‘yes’ for new homes near public transport confirmed
The government has published its updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) following a consultation on changes which concluded in March.
Ministers said that under its new planning rules “thousands of new homes” would be built around England’s key transport hubs.
The NPPF also confirmed a new ‘medium’ site category, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that it would shortly consult on a standard Section 106 template for sites which fall within this category.
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.
By unlocking thousands of homes around well-connected transport hubs, we’re helping people live closer to work, school and the services they rely on, while backing local businesses and driving growth in our communities.
That’s how we’ll tackle the housing crisis and raise living standards for people in every corner of the country.
Angela Rayner, Housing Secretary
Ministers have also announced where more than 70,000 social and affordable homes will be built in England over the next ten years, under the government’s £39bn social housebuilding programme.
Funding has been granted to Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North East England, and Liverpool, as well as £6bn for London.
The government has also launched a consultation on planning powers for mayors in England, which proposes that they “take over key planning applications which impact on local growth”.
The move would mirror powers held by the mayor of London, providing the ability to tell local authorities whether to proceed with or refuse a scheme.
Home building generates over £60bn of community investment
Research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has found that building new homes in England and Wales generated more than £60bn of community investment between 2024 and 2026.
Around 42,000 new school places, 1,640 football pitches worth of community space and over £9bn in affordable housing was funded by these new homes.
In England alone, the 209,000 homes delivered in 2024/25 are estimated to have generated more than £60 billion, which includes:
- More than £9 billion for Affordable Housing
- £1.3 billion for infrastructure, including around £600 million for new and improved schools
- £188 million in spending for open spaces and leisure facilities
- £46 billion of economic activity, supporting local economies
- £6 billion in spending in local shops
- 734,000 jobs supported, including around 9,000 apprentices, graduates or trainees
Planning permissions fall
The number of home building sites obtaining planning permission fell in the first quarter of 2026, with just 1,220 sites for private housing granted planning approval across England.
The HBF’s latest Housing Pipeline report, based on data from Glenigan, found that just 408 sites for ten homes or more received approval – the lowest figure since 2006.
In total, approval for just over 54k homes was granted in the first three months of this year – significantly below the level needed to achieve the Government’s ambition for an annual run rate of around 300,000, as housing supply and new consents for future delivery continue to flatline at around 200,000 per annum.
Annual house price growth increases in June
Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that UK house prices increased by 2.0% in the twelve months to June 2026, bringing the average property value to £270,000.
The annual growth rate has reduced from the 3.0% in the twelve months to May, with the slowdown attributed to the Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in England and Northern Ireland in April 2025.
The North West was the English region with the highest house price inflation, at 4.7%, in the 12 months to June 2026. This was down from 5.6% in the 12 months to May 2026.
Annual house price inflation was lowest in London, although the rate of fall slowed. Average prices fell by 2.5% in the 12 months to June 2026, up from an annual fall of 3.1% in the 12 months to May 2026. This is the tenth consecutive month where there has been an annual fall in house prices in London, mainly caused by annual falls in Inner London.
Meanwhile, the Rightmove house price index for August has found that the average asking price of a newly-listed property fell by -2.0% in the month to £364,999.
The drop is due to summer sellers cutting prices due to a quieter holiday period, and more homes for sale.
However, house price growth for northern and southern regions of England are very different, with prices in the north of England up by 1.5% compared with a year ago.
Meanwhile, prices in the south of England are down by -1.8% and by -3.1% in London.
Building Safety Levy will make SME sites unviable
Nine in ten SME developers have warned that the imminent introduction of the Building Safety Levy will bring additional viability pressure, according to research by the HBF.
Over a third of respondents have already delayed, redesigned or cancelled schemes ahead of the introduction of the levy, which applies from 01 October.
Unlike larger developers, SME builders will also be required to pay the levy when the first home on a site is completed, further adding to cash flow pressures.
Developer and supply chain updates
Barratt Redrow has launched its new Great Places placemaking framework, bringing its three brands under a single standard focused on healthier, greener and better-connected communities.
The framework will assess developments against measures including nature, safe streets, walking and cycling, community spaces and long-term stewardship, reflecting research showing strong buyer demand for wellbeing, amenities and a positive legacy.
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The HBF has opened applications for the ninth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme, offering women fully funded training and two weeks of site-based work experience to help them enter site management careers.
Since launching in January 2023, the programme has supported more than 215 candidates, with over 60 subsequently securing employment in the housebuilding industry.