England’s planning reforms will create ‘generation of slums’

RIBA and housing experts warn of erosion of building laws with fast-track proposals

• How planning shakeup will affect UK housing
• Jack Airey: the aide who helped build red tape bonfire

The biggest shake-up of planning for decades has caused fury that moves to fast-track the construction of “beautiful” homes across England will “dilute” democratic oversight, choke off affordable housing and lead to the creation of “slum” dwellings.

Under the proposals, unveiled on Thursday, planning applications based on pre-approved “design codes” would get an automatic green light – eliminating a whole stage of local oversight within designated zones.

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