Click here to register for this Adam Smith Institute webinar.

This year will see MPs vote on the Government’s flagship Planning Bill, announced in last month’s Queen’s Speech. 

One of the key provisions is set to be a move towards zonal planning that frontloads development decisions into the creation of local plans, rather than the current system’s discretionary, case-by-case approach. Other reforms trailed in the Government’s Planning White Paper include giving locals more control over design codes, street votes, higher housing targets based on local prices and potentially even green belt reform.

Supporters claim that the legislation will deliver the homes desperately needed to alleviate the UK’s long-running housing crisis, boosting growth and innovation across the country. 

But critics from both sides of the housing debate are sceptical. Many MPs—fearful of constituent backlash and ‘overdevelopment’—believe the Bill is likely to reduce the voice of locals in planning decisions. Long-standing advocates of planning reform are concerned that the reforms will end up being too watered down by rebel MPs to make a meaningful difference.

To discuss whether the Planning Bill will make a significant impact on the UK’s housing woes we have assembled an expert panel.

Panelists

Daniel Pryor (Chair) is the Head of Programmes at the Adam Smith Institute.

John Myers is co-founder of YIMBY Alliance and London YIMBY: campaigns to end the housing crisis with the support of local people.

Anya Martin is Director of PricedOut, a volunteer-run organisation campaigning for policies that make the housing system work better.

Anthony Breach is a Senior Analyst at the Centre for Cities, which aims to help the UK’s largest cities and towns realise their economic potential.