Buckinghamshire Councillor Warns Central Government's Housing Push Could Fast-Track Large Developments

TL;DR: Buckinghamshire's planning chief warns that upcoming national planning changes would route any housing scheme over 150 homes straight to the Secretary of State. He says the moves are part of the government's goal to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament.

Context: Government announces major housing surge targeting 1.5 million new homes before the parliamentary term ends. Ministers say faster approvals are essential to meet the target and ease shortages.

The programme includes mandatory housing targets for councils, a proposed £16 billion National Housing Bank, and greater flexibility to build on green belt land. Local authorities are already seeing shifts in how planning applications are processed. Residents have expressed worries that faster routes could sidestep community input.

Key Facts: Councillor Peter Strachan told the cabinet that significant planning changes are emerging from central government. He said the first proposal would automatically refer any housing application for more than 150 homes to the Secretary of State.

Strachan also noted a second proposal to limit the size of planning committees, making them smaller and potentially faster. A third proposal would let applications below a certain threshold be decided by delegated officers rather than a full committee.

What It Means: Supporters argue faster approvals will help deliver the 1.5 million homes needed to ease market pressure. Opponents, including residents and environmental groups, warn that bypassing local scrutiny could lead to inappropriate development on protected green belt and farmland. A petition has already been launched in Buckinghamshire urging the council to strengthen policies that safeguard these areas.

Council leader Steven Broadbent said the authority will monitor the proposals and keep residents informed. He stressed the need to balance housing delivery with protection of green belt and agricultural land.

What to watch next: Expect the government to publish its detailed planning white paper later this year, which will confirm the thresholds and committee reforms, and watch for Buckinghamshire Council's formal response and any updated local planning guidance.