The planning bill remains on the UK government’s agenda as today’s Queen’s Speech signalled a renewed effort in addressing the lack of housing across the UK.

The bill, which was set out by the government in 2021’s Queen’s Speech, is on paper the biggest overhaul since the end of the Second World War as it bids to boost housebuilding and loosen controls in England.

Today’s speech, delivered by the Prince of Wales said: “A bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas, and ensuring everyone can share in the UK’s success.”

“The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement in local development,” it added.

While the inclusion of the planning bill in this year’s speech was welcomed by industry participants, it was questioned by many whether it would make the cut. Since the government outlined the bill last year there has been little mention of further developments around the reform.

Market Financial Solutions chief executive Paresh Raja comments: “It is certainly positive to hear it mentioned, with the policy seemingly dragged back out of the proverbial long grass, into which it was kicked last year. As ever, the devil will be in the detail, but stating that ‘the planning system will be reformed’ is a start at least.”

Raja says that to deliver more housing in the UK “we need to make it easier to build more new homes and, crucially, also convert disused commercial properties into residential ones”.

“Tabling the Planning Bill is a vital first step in hopefully addressing the red tape that prevents the delivery of new homes,” he adds.

The speech hinted at giving local leaders more power to revitalise high streets, but while Raja says it “sounds promising”, the policy could miss the mark a little.

“Landlords seldom want their properties to sit empty – really the question whether there is viable demand from businesses to rent shops and offices, and at a price that ensures landlords can cover their costs,” he explains.

He adds: “The continued efforts to raise standards in the private rental sector and protect tenants’ right is welcomed. It will be interesting to see how this takes shape.”

Meanwhile, FJP Investment chief executive Jamie Johnson comments: “In the face of the current pressing economic, social and environmental challenges, now more than ever, it is crucial that housing is put at the forefront of the government’s agenda.”

While a root and branch shake-up of the planning system is still required, Johnson says the reforms referenced today “are a step in the right direction towards increasing the number of homes that this country so desperately needs”.

As set out last year, the new bill plans a new traffic light system, with the UK divided up by local councils into areas designated for growth, protection, or renewal.

In growth areas, current planning restrictions will be largely swept away to speed construction. It takes an average of five years for a typical housing development to be passed fit for development.

The government wants the country to build 300,000 new homes a year – more than the 192,725 homes it built in 2020.

In August 2020, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said such reforms would mean that new homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices will get automatic permission for firms to start building.

Last year, the government described the current system as “complicated, favours larger developers and often means that much needed new homes are delayed”.

The bill also proposes a new infrastructure levy to replace the more complex Section 106 system.