The ‘investment zones’ outlined in Friday’s ‘mini-budget’ can include sites that already have outline planning permission, according to guidance published this weekend.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) and the Treasury on Saturday published further details of the policy, which will see a streamlined planning process and reduced tax on specific sites to boost growth. The government said it has been in talks with local authorities and has identified 38 mayoral combined authorities (MCA) and upper tier local authorities (YUTLA) that could set up a zone.

The guidance said: “Sites may be aligned with existing local growth strategies and transport plans.