Which planning reforms will we get now?

Planning was probably the issue that dominated Michael Gove’s first stint as housing secretary last year. It is hard to believe that it was only in September 2021 that he was drafted in to replace Robert Jenrick.

His predecessor’s downfall came about due to controversies over his ambitious plans to reform the planning system through local housing targets and a zonal system to classify land for development. The reforms, which were seen by many as reducing local communities’ control over development, were blamed for the Conservative Party’s  unexpected defeat in the Chesham and Amersham by-election.