Sweeping reforms to planning laws were at the centre of today’s Queen’s Speech as the government set out its agenda for what could be a watershed year for the construction industry.

The Planning Reform Bill is now set to be brought before parliament this autumn and is expected to include proposals to scrap Section 106 agreements and replace it with a new Infrastructure Levy.

It will also introduce new design codes and force councils to zone land for “growth”, “protection” or “renewal”, with land labelled for growth getting automatic outline planning permission. Councils will be unable to reject applications which accord with local rules.

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