Date published: 16 December 2025
James Bradbury, Group Director of Growth and Development at Stonewater, responds to the Government’s planning reforms announced on 16 December 2025:
“It is welcome that the changes announced today emphasise support for rural, social and affordable housing, while focusing on minimising disruption and delay in the planning process.
"At present, the system often holds up the delivery of affordable housing, and in our experience, schemes take considerably longer than the 13-week target for all applications with ten or more homes.
“Planning reform is crucial to getting more homes built and speeding up the system. We welcome the clarity Ministers have provided, again highlighting their commitment to tackling the housing crisis and giving the sector the tools we need to best support Government with their housebuilding targets.
“We believe a zonal system would bring much-needed speed to the process, helping us to deliver more homes on time. It would also mean earlier and more effective public engagement in the planning process, with local stakeholders being able to set the rules developers must abide by up front.
“Of course, planning is just one piece of the puzzle. Long-term certainty in funding remains a critical issue in the affordable housing sector as providers continue to navigate competing pressures, while we need more workers coming into the industry.
“Nonetheless, we welcome the planning reforms announced today and urge the Government to publish its Housing Strategy and Warm Homes Plan as soon as possible.”
