Im no fan of the Chancellors previously unfocussed let them build where they like approach to planning reform – which clearly failed to produce the number needed.  So the gradual shift towards a zoning based system – signalled in last years housing act – is full steam ahead in the Budget.

more streamlined planning system
Budget 2016 therefore announces:

– the government’s intention to move to a more zonal and ‘red line’ planning approach, where local authorities use their local plans to signal their development strategy from the outset and make maximum use of permission in principle, to give early certainty and reduce the number of stages developers must go through to get planning permission
– measures to speed up the planning system, including minimising the delays caused by planning conditions, and ensuring the delivery of local plans by 2017

-Garden towns, cities, and villages
– The government supports the construction of a…