The government’s latest NPPF was published yesterday, setting out the government’s key focuses for property development.

High-profile changes include fast-tracking development of homes near public transport and for business land that supports the government’s Industrial Strategy.

Andy Cowan, associate partner at Carter Jonas (Manchester) said: “Rather than applying a rigid numerical test, the emphasis is more clearly on making efficient use of sustainable locations while responding appropriately to context.

“The changes affecting non-designated heritage assets should also bring greater clarity by distinguishing more clearly between different levels of harm and total loss.

“Taken together, the changes suggest a more practical NPPF — one that supports growth while giving decision-makers greater scope to consider economic need, sustainability, context and the actual degree of harm involved.”

But Adam Bovingdon, managing director of real estate finance at United Trust Bank, has warned that planning reform alone will not deliver the new homes the country needs without action to stimulate buyer demand.

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He said: “The real risk though is that improvements in the planning environment simply result in more consented land rather than more homes being built.

“Developers need confidence that completed homes can be sold at a rate and value that justifies committing capital and taking construction risk.

“Without that confidence, planning permissions may be secured but development starts delayed, with sites held back until market conditions improve.

“Across many parts of the country there are already significant numbers of completed and partly completed new homes available for sale, yet buyer demand remains subdued.

“The industry cannot continue to increase housing delivery if purchasers are unable or unwilling to buy.

“Government action is therefore needed on the demand side as well as the supply side.”

Adam suggested a modernised Help to Buy style scheme targeted at first time buyers and focused on SME housebuilders and developers, together with a review of stamp duty, would help improve affordability, increase transaction volumes and give developers the confidence to build more homes speculatively.

He added: “The industry has shown it can deliver homes when there is demand.

“Planning reform is essential, but unless it is accompanied by measures that stimulate buyer demand, there is a risk that housing delivery will continue to fall short of government ambitions.”