The government has published a new National Planning Policy Framework

This aims to facilitate the delivery of "thousands of new homes" close to railway stations, including on the green belt.  The document, published on 17th August, introduced a "default yes" approach for housing developments within 800 metres walk of well-connected stations.  Low-quality or underused green belt land, known as the grey belt, will be opened up for development.  In response to feedback from the sector, the earlier proposal to exclude on-site affordable housing requirements for medium-sized sites had been dropped.  The NHF said that this would "safeguard one of the most important routes for delivering social homes in rural areas".  The new NPPF also introduces binding annual quotas for local authorities, reduces the requirements to consult with public bodies on new developments, and requires a minimum of 40% accessible homes at the M4(2) standard on new schemes.