Can building 1.5 million homes support UK nature and climate goals? EAC’s launches inquiry as it holds first evidence session of the new Parliament

The environmental impact of planning reforms needed to meet the Government's housebuilding targets will be examined by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) as it launches its first inquiry of the new Parliament, ‘Environmental sustainability and housing growth'.

An early pledge for the new Government was its stated ambition to build 1.5 million homes in England over the next five years. As part of the commitment, the Government has proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework in order to release more land for development: these changes were subject to consultation over the summer. Published responses to the consultation have questioned whether the proposed reforms can maintain current levels of environmental protection.

In its new inquiry the Committee is seeking views on the nature and climate implications of the planning reforms. From protection and enhancement of the environment to promotion of active travel, reduction of embodied carbon levels and implementation of local nature recovery networks, the wide-ranging terms of reference seek  to deliver a comprehensive overview of how the proposed planning reforms can deliver housing growth while maintaining protection of the environment.

An evidence session will be held on Wednesday 20^th November to serve as an introductory session to some aspects of the full inquiry, considering the extent to which the Government has already taken into account environmental implications of the reforms.

Witnesses

From 14.30:

• Professor Alister Scott, Professor of Environmental Geography and Planning, Northumbria University
• Anthony Breach, Associate Director, Centre for Cities
• Sophie O'Connell, senior policy adviser, Green Alliance

From 15.30:

• Cllr Richard Wright, Leader, North Kesteven District Council, and planning spokesperson, District Councils' Network
• Dr Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy, Town and Country Planning Association
• Sam Stafford, Planning Director, Home Builders Federation

Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

“Britain has a housing crisis, a climate crisis and a nature crisis. All three must be tackled in tandem and addressing one must not be at the expense of another. The Government's ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years – 300,000 a year – is significant and we must ensure that climate and nature protections underpin any such reforms to our planning system.

“Conscious that changes to the National Planning Policy Framework have already been proposed, the Committee is prioritising this area as our first inquiry. We will be examining whether environmental protections are being sufficiently considered in the reforms, and if not, what the Committee can recommend to Government to ensure that they are.”

Terms of reference

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all of the issues raised in the following terms of reference to its ‘Environmental sustainability and housing growth' inquiry by 17.00 on Thursday 20 December 2024:

General

1. What provisions will the National Policy Planning Framework, as revised under the Government's proposals, make for protection and enhancement of the environment?  Are these provisions likely to be adequate?

1. What policy levers does the Government plan to use to ensure that local authorities deliver the development which the revised NPPF ‘standard method' requires? Do the Government's plans result in local planning authorities being penalized if delivery falls short? What policy levers will be available to local authorities to ensure that developments which have received planning approval are delivered in accordance with consents?

Housing growth and sustainable development

1. To what extent is the current planning presumption in favour of sustainable development compatible with the environmental objective of the planning system? To what extent will the proposed ‘streamlining' of the sustainable development presumption work to deliver developments which will meet this objective and be compatible with the Government's environmental targets and obligations?

1. How will the revised NPPF work to deliver the social and environmental objectives of the planning system? To what extent will it promote outcomes which deliver sustainable social and environmental benefits together, such as access to essential amenities, to public transport and to active travel routes?

Housing growth and net zero targets

1. What contribution can the NPPF make to meeting Government targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions? What account does the NPPF take of advice from the Climate Change Committee on reducing the use of embodied carbon as well as operational carbon in the built environment?

Housing growth and biodiversity and nature recovery requirements

1. Will the Government's proposals affect the ability of local authorities to implement policies designed to protect the natural environment in their areas?

1. What (if any) trends are observable in (a) delivery of environmental improvements (b) the purchase and trading of credits arising from the Environment Act requirement for developments to yield biodiversity net gain (BNG)? How are planning authorities using BNG in the planning process to deliver environmental improvements from housing development?

1. How will the revised NPPF operate to promote the Nature Recovery Network and the implementation of local nature recovery strategies by responsible authorities?

1. What use can planning authorities make of the data analysis and modelling being developed under the National Land Data Framework to support planning decisions which lead to better environmental outcomes? How should the NPPF be integrated into the forthcoming Land Use Framework?

Housing growth and environmental regulation

1. What environmental regulatory arrangements within Defra's remit which relate to the planning process are likely to be under review as potential inhibitors of growth? What effect on environmental protections would reform of these regulations be likely to have?

Notes to editors:

• In addition to agreeing further early priorities for inquiries, with details to be published in the coming weeks, the Committee will conclude two inquiries from the predecessor Committee. Evidence sessions will be held in December on (a) the role of natural capital in the green economy and (b) the UK and the Antarctic environment.