The Government has used its Queen’s Speech to unveil new planning reforms.

The speech, this year given by Prince Charles for the first time, also included the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill and Renters Reform Bill.

Prince Charles said the government aims to “help ease the cost of living” and “level up the country”.

Already trailed over the weekend, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill contains some new planning reforms such as ‘design codes’ and a fast track application system for SME builders. There will also be powers for local authorities to take over empty properties.

In the Speech, Prince Charles said the government are looking to “drive local growth, empower local leaders to regenerate local areas”.

He added that “the planning system will be reformed to give residents more input in local developments”.

In the follow on document, government say one of the main purposes of the new bill is to “improve the planning system to give communities a louder voice, making sure developments are beautiful, green and accompanied by new infrastructure and affordable housing.”

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “To deliver on levelling up ambitions and ensure councils can deliver the right types of homes in the right places with appropriate infrastructure, a local, plan-led system is integral.

“It is good to see that any new Infrastructure Levy will be set at a local level, and we want to work with government to ensure that it is a success and can deliver more affordable housing and infrastructure contributions at a local authority level than the existing systems for developer contributions.

“Empowering councils to bring vacant properties back into use is also an encouraging step.

“National permitted development rights, allowing conversion of offices, shops and restaurants into houses without the need to provide any affordable homes or infrastructure funding, also need to be removed so councils can ensure the right homes are built in the right places, and deliver on local ambitions to revive and reimagine our high streets and town centres.

“As well as ensuring that existing homes are high quality, energy efficient and safe, building new, high-quality council homes has to be a national priority.

“This needs to include urgent reform of the Right to Buy scheme to allow councils to be able to keep 100% of receipts from sales of homes and the ability to set discounts locally.”

UKGBC’s Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hirigoyen, said: “Planning reform is long overdue to deliver development that is aligned with our climate commitments and homes that are protected against increasing energy costs.

“If the Government is to achieve its ambition to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity, then the upcoming Bill must ensure that the English planning system is in line with the Climate Change Act and puts us on the pathway to net zero.

“This will help deliver sustainable development that improves the quality of life for all communities across the UK.”