<p>The government has published <span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future"><span>Planning for the future</span></a>, its white paper that seeks to overhaul the English planning system to bring “the most significant reforms to housing policy in decades”, including the introduction of land categorisations and a new Infrastructure Levy.</span></p> <p><span>As trailed earlier this week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) - which said its reforms would produce high quality, sustainable homes and give communities a central role - plans to designate land into one of three categories: for growth, renewal or protection.</span></p> <p><span>Land labelled for growth, MHCLG explained, would be approved for development at the same time as plan preparations, allowing for new homes and other important infrastructure to be “built quickly and efficiently”, providing plans meet local design standards.</span></p> <p><span>Renewal areas will also benefit from “much quicker development” if they are similarly well designed.</span></p> <p><span>Meanwhile, protected land – including the green belt – will continue to be safeguarded, “with policy remaining a decision for local authorities”.</span></p> <p><span>MHCLG said communities would determine the agenda on land for their own areas, “with the categories for all land across England decided through local consensus”. </span></p> <p><span>Local communities will also be involved from the start of the …