The six year programme will run from 2014-15 and will support the delivery of around 250,000 homes. Nine sites have already been earmarked to receive funding and £50 million will be allocated to Local Enterprise Partnership supported bids to "deliver on their ambition for housing growth," the statement said.
The government will increase the funding available for new affordable homes by increasing local authority Housing Revenue Account borrowing limits by £150 million in 2015-16 and £150 million in 2016-17.
A consultation will be opened on proposals for a ten unit threshold for affordable housing contributions made through section 106 agreements and a review will be launched into the role local authorities can play in supporting overall housing supply, the statement said.
The Autumn Statement also confirmed a number of proposed measures to "incentivise improved planning performance" set out in the National Infrastructure Plan 2013 (152-page / 1MB PDF), which was published yesterday. The measures include a consultation to be launched in 2014 on mechanisms to speed up Local Plan production, including a statutory requirement to put Local Plans in place.
The Government said it will address delays associated with the discharge of planning conditions including a strengthening of the requirement for councils to justify conditions which require more information before work can start.
Consultations will take place "shortly" on proposals to reduce the number of applications where unnecessary statutory consultations occur "while keeping the same level of environmental protections".
"These proposals mark an important next step in streamlining the planning system and ensuring it is able to work efficiently to support the development of new homes, infrastructure and jobs we need," said Planning Minister Nick Boles in a statement. "They will also ensure that communities are at the heart of the planning system and given the power to make the right decisions for their local area."
The Government confirmed that a specialist planning court will be established in "early 2014" following plans outlined by the Ministry of Justice earlier this year. The court will handle applications for major developments and have "set deadlines to accelerate the handling of cases," the plan said.
