15 January 2026
Planning Minister Orders 'Pragmatic' Approach to Speed Up Approvals
New government guidance urges councils to be flexible, potentially easing the path for London residential projects.
Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has issued a significant directive to local councils and planning inspectors, urging them to adopt a more 'pragmatic' approach toward planning decisions. While the letter specifically addresses the viability of developer contributions and the varying of planning obligations, it signals a major cultural shift in the government’s stance on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Minister’s clarification suggests that the current system's rigidity has become a primary barrier to national growth. By encouraging councils to be 'generous' when considering requests to vary obligations, the government aims to unblock stalled projects and ensure that residential development remains viable despite economic pressures. This move is part of a wider overhaul of the planning system intended to streamline the UK's complex application process and accelerate the delivery of housing at every scale.
For the London homeowner, this shift in tone from the Ministry of Housing is a vital signal of a changing tide. While the Pennycook letter primarily addresses larger developer obligations, the instruction for councils to be 'pragmatic' rather than pedantic is a directive that will inevitably trickle down to householder applications for extensions, loft conversions, and basement renovations.
In London, many homeowners find their renovation dreams stalled by rigid local plan policies or overly strict interpretations of 'character' and 'amenity' by local officers. When the Planning Minister explicitly tells inspectors and local authorities to prioritize pragmatism to 'get Britain building,' it creates a more favorable environment for homeowner negotiations. If you are planning a substantial extension in a borough known for its rigorous planning department, such as Kensington & Chelsea or Richmond, this guidance provides your design team with significant leverage. It suggests that the government expects councils to work proactively with applicants to find solutions rather than finding minor technicalities to refuse applications.
Furthermore, this 'pragmatic' directive coincides with broader proposed changes to the NPPF aimed at urban densification. In London, where the housing shortage is most acute, this policy shift supports the concept of 'gentle densification.' This means local authorities are being encouraged to look more favorably upon proposals that maximize the potential of existing plots—such as adding an extra storey to a terrace house or extending a footprint to accommodate multi-generational living.
At London Extend, we view this as a transformative opportunity for homeowners who may have previously been told their ambitions were 'too bold' for local guidelines. As the planning system evolves to be more delivery-focused, the barriers to high-quality residential extensions are beginning to lower. However, pragmatism does not mean a free-for-all; it means that applications must be professionally presented to demonstrate how they meet the new government's criteria for quality and viability.
For homeowners currently in the design stage or those who have faced recent refusals, now is the time to reassess. The shift toward a more flexible planning regime means that previously dismissed designs may now find a path to approval. Navigating this new, more 'generous' planning landscape requires an architectural partner who understands how to translate these high-level policy shifts into successful local planning outcomes.