The government has just taken a big step to turbocharge housebuilding. Under new planning reforms, homes near well-connected train stations will get a default “yes” if they meet certain rules. That means more shovels in the ground, fewer planning delays, and thousands of working families closer to jobs, schools, and shops.
For developers, this is more than a policy headline - it’s a data-led opportunity. Our recent white paper, A Data-Led Approach to Delivering 1.5 Million Homes, modelled the impact of developing around train stations as part of our work on Brownfield Passports earlier this year. The numbers were clear: looking only at ‘urban’ stations, and developing only to a density that matches the average local level, over 800,000 additional houses could be delivered. With these new rules, the benefits we projected may no longer be hypothetical; they’re about to be unlocked in real life.
Focusing on building around train stations, known as Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is not a new thing; TOD already plays a role in London, where sites with a higher PTAL score are able to build at higher densities. It also played a significant role in shaping housing delivery across the US, Canada, and Australia. Wherever TOD is used, it has supported higher-density development around rail and rapid transit stations, enabling more efficient land use and reducing reliance on cars. Building around train stations consistently improves the feasibility of mixed-use communities, broadened housing options, and strengthened the economic case for transit investment, ultimately supporting more sustainable patterns of urban growth.
Initiatives like Platform4 - which aims to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield railway land - show how these reforms aren’t just about speed, but smarter development that makes communities thrive.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on urban land opportunities, the message is clear: transport-linked brownfield sites are now more attractive than ever. For developers using data to guide decisions, this is a moment to act. Our white paper lays out the modelling and insights that can help you prioritise the sites likely to succeed under the new rules.
Read our white paper, A Data-Led Approach to Delivering 1.5 Million Homes, by clicking the link below.
