Rayner’s latest move to speed up housebuilding should be welcomed. But without building support for proposals, then a backlash at the ballot box beckons, putting trajectory of sustained, long-term housing delivery at risk.

While events on the global stage continue to unfold, Rayner’s tour of the Sunday political shows provided a signal of Labour’s intent to get things moving on the housing front, aiming to lead the domestic agenda rather than being shaped by it.

The Deputy Prime Minister used her appearance to outline proposals to speed up the delivery of housing, with the 1.5m new homes target by 2029 still firmly within their sights.

Expected to be part of the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, housing and associated infrastructure, such as schools, allocated in local development plans will not need to be heard at committee, so long as they satisfy the policies of the plan and adhere to national guidelines.

This move should improve certainty in the planning system, meaning the principle of development isn’t disputed once a site becomes allocated. It should also reduce delays, with officers no longer having to navigate committee members to get things over the line.

But without wanting to be a scrooge, here’s a word of warning. In politics, often actions prompt a reaction. If you stretch the elastic too far on housebuilding, it will snap. In some corners, people will argue of a democratic deficit in restricting the authority of planning committees, at a time when the number of councillors will be paired back following devolution and local government reorganisation.

Yes, the housing crisis is an acute one, and action needs to be taken now. Yet, even Starmer says 1.5m new homes is ‘too ambitious’ to achieve during this Parliament. With no guarantees of a second term, Labour needs to enact policies which aren’t reversed in 4.5 years. The market will also need time to build up supplies of labour, materials and resources, with plenty of runway required for interest rates to fall, too.

For many, the benefits housebuilding will bring won’t be felt in time for the next election. A plan is needed for the next 10 years, one that survives changes in the political weather.

So, what should promoters and developers do about it? Here’s a few thoughts:

• Uncovering support for your proposals will remain key, even if they don’t end up at committee. Labour are wounded and will want to see signs of support for housing to convince them and others that the course is worth staying.
• More emphasis will be put on local plan-making. It’s important developers are on the front foot as scrutiny will increase at this stage of the planning lifecycle. New developments should still reflect local needs and consultation in various forms will help to secure local buy-in.
• Messaging around new schemes will remain important. For too long, the industry has not been able to communicate the benefits new homes bring, be it health, security or prosperity. The words we use will still matter.
• There will inevitably be a backlash to Labour’s shake-up of the planning system. Let’s work together, build support and strengthen the pro-housing coalition, ensuring parties of different persuasions aren’t tempted to change tact.

No doubt there will be plenty more to analyse once the NPPF is out and the full details of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill are revealed. Yet, it’s clear we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to solve the housing crisis, so let’s get ready to seize it.