Senior housing sector figures have cautiously welcomed Kwasi Kwarteng’s announcement of a streamlined planning process but called for reform across the whole country and not just in designated “investment zones”.

As part of his radical growth plan, the chancellor announced this morning the setting up of investment zones with liberalised planning rules and targeted tax-cuts to spur development, including new housing. The government is in discussions with 38 mayoral combined authorities and upper-tier councils which have expressed an interest in having a zone in their area.