People 'top priority'

THE Prime Minister has said providing homes for people must be the "top priority" over nature and the environment, as Government reforms are set to allow more building on the green belt.

A shake-up of planning rules means councils have been given mandatory targets to deliver a total of 370,000 homes a year in England. Sir Keir Starmer said local plans to reach targets were the starting point, but that the Government would "absolutely" push development through if the plans do not work.

Sir Keir said he wanted to "get the balance right with nature and the environment" but that "a human being wanting to have a house" has to be top priority. The Prime Minister and his deputy, Angela Rayner, have pledged to build 1.5 million homes and take decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects this parliament.