The Government has released details of its proposed changes to planning laws, designed to speed up the process to support Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to "build, build' build".

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has published the Planning For The Future consultation paper which is designed to cut red tape with what he describes as a "clearer, rules-based system".

He told the BBC: "We have a major housing challenge but also a major economic challenge and a lot of people's jobs depend on this industry.

"We think our new system will still be democratic, it will still have local engagement, but it will be much faster and help us to meet the needs of the next generation."

The Government said reforms will mean:

• Local communities will be consulted from the beginning of the planning process.
• Green spaces will be protected by allowing for more building on brownfield land with all new streets to be tree lined.
• Local housing plans are developed and agreed in 30 months - down from seven years.
• Every area to have a local plan in place.
• The planning process to be overhauled and replaced with a clearer, rules based system.
• A simpler national levy to replace the system of developer contributions.
• The creation of a fast-track system for beautiful buildings and establishing local design guidances.
• All new homes to be 'zero carbon ready', with no new homes delivered under the new system needed to be retrofitted as we achieve our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Under the proposals, land will be divided into growth, renewal or protected categories.

Renewal land would be looked on favourably for developments with new homes, hospitals and schools allowed automatically in growth areas.

Areas of outstanding natural beauty and the green belt will come under the protected category.

But James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, denied the Government's claim that the planning system slowed down house building.

He said 90 per cent of planning applications were approved by councils, but more than a million homes given permission in the last decade had yet to be built.

And Alan Jones, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said moves to allow more commercial premises to be converted into homes without planning permission threatened to create "the next generation of slum housing".

He said: "While there's no doubt the planning system needs reform, these shameful proposals do almost nothing to guarantee the delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes."