If you’re in property development, particularly on small sites, the government’s latest planning reform working paper is worth a proper look. There’s some genuinely encouraging news here aimed at cutting through the red tape and making it easier to get well-designed homes built quicker.
What's changing?
Alongside other reforms, the government sees a big role for an updated national Model Design Code to simplify design requirements. This isn’t just jargon; it means clearer, more consistent rules on what kind of development will be accepted in different locations. No more guessing games or costly delays at the planning application stage.
The aim? To:
- Encourage new entrants into the market by lowering design complexity.
- Support incremental neighbourhood intensification - that’s a fancy way of saying well-designed homes on small plots, making better use of space without compromising quality.
How will it work?
The government proposes:
- Template design codes tailored logically for different site sizes and typologies. These will use a rules-based approach, so developers can quickly identify opportunities and know upfront what good design looks like.
- Digital tools to help find suitable sites and check if they comply with design requirements. Think of it as having a digital planning assistant to guide you through design compliance on specific sites - saving time and headaches.
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Why this matters for you
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Small sites have always been a tricky nut to crack when it comes to planning. They’re vital to boosting housing supply but often get bogged down in complex rules or protracted applications.
With these reforms, the government is signalling a fresh push to speed up delivery on those very sites, using smarter design codes and digital tech to streamline the process.
At LandTech, we’re all for innovation that makes property development more efficient and less painful. We’ll be watching how these design codes and tools develop and helping you leverage them to find, assess, and deliver small site projects with confidence.
