As the UK aims to build 1.5 million new homes, opposition grows against government plans to streamline planning processes, with fears that removing statutory consultees like The Gardens Trust could threaten historic parks and public wellbeing.
New Housing Secretary Steve Reed’s declared mantra of "build, baby, build" aligns with the UK Government’s ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this parliamentary term. However, proposals to streamline the planning system by removing certain organisations from the list of statutory consultees are drawing significant concern and criticism. One such organisation, The Gardens Trust— the UK’s only national charity dedicated to the protection and conservation of historic parks and designed landscapes—has highlighted the damaging uncertainty caused by delayed consultations on the Government’s intentions.
The Government had announced that a consultation on removing some statutory consultees, including The Gardens Trust, was expected in the spring. Yet months later, this consultation remains outstanding. Linden Groves, head of operations and strategy at The Gardens Trust, who described the announcement as “completely unexpected,” told the Express that the delay has “hijacked” the charity’s year by forcing them to prepare defensively without clarity on the legislative future of their role. The Gardens Trust fears that removing its statutory consultee status—which costs taxpayers less than £44,000 annually but which it estimates would cost local authorities over £30 million to replace—would leave cherished green spaces vulnerable to unsympathetic development decisions.
Their concern is compounded by public sentiment: a report by The Gardens Trust reveals over 90% of Britons worry that the building of 1.5 million new homes could irreversibly threaten local green spaces. The report also highlights the NHS savings resulting from public access to parks and gardens, estimating an annual £111 million in reduced GP visits, prescriptions, and referrals. Historic parks and gardens, many listed as Grade II and including noted sites like Parliament Square, Finsbury Park, and Chelsea Hospital, contribute important ecological, cultural, and community health benefits that risk being overlooked if statutory consultation roles are curtailed.
Leading voices in the green space advocacy community echo these worries. Dave Morris, chair of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, warned of the dangers of reducing consultation with bodies that stand up for community interests. “The country’s park and green spaces are absolutely essential facilities for all sections of our communities and they must have the best possible protection,” he said. Ian Sansbury, CEO of the nature mental health charity Mind Over Mountains, reiterated the vital role green spaces play in building mental fitness and alleviating NHS pressures.
The UK Government acknowledges the importance of groups like The Gardens Trust but argues that the current cadre of statutory consultees contributes to delays and uncertainties in the planning process that hinder reaching housing targets. Reform proposals target organisations such as Sport England, Theatres Trust, and The Gardens Trust for removal from the statutory consultee list, aiming to cut bureaucratic red tape in planning decisions. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has publicly stated that streamlining formal consultations will support growth and help deliver homes faster.
This effort forms part of wider reforms that include removing statutory requirements for early public consultation on major infrastructure projects — a move intended to halve the current average two-year consultation period. Government spokespeople stress that there is no intention to develop on historic parks or listed spaces, emphasizing a balanced approach between conservation and necessary development.
Still, several affected organisations have expressed deep frustration and alarm at the proposed changes, describing them as a "kick in the teeth" after years of diligent volunteer-led protection work. With such a significant overhaul of the statutory consultation system pending, debates continue around finding the right balance between speeding up the supply of new housing and safeguarding the UK's green heritage for current and future generations.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative discusses recent UK government proposals to streamline the planning system by removing certain organisations, including The Gardens Trust, from the list of statutory consultees. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 10 March 2025, when the government announced reforms to overhaul the planning system, including the removal of The Gardens Trust from the statutory consultee list. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bureaucratic-burden-lifted-to-speed-up-building-in-growth-agenda?utm_source=openai)) The report also references a consultation expected in the spring, which aligns with the government's announcement. However, the consultation remains outstanding, indicating a delay in the process. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content does not appear to be recycled from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Linden Groves, head of operations and strategy at The Gardens Trust, and other individuals. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the government's announcement on 10 March 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bureaucratic-burden-lifted-to-speed-up-building-in-growth-agenda?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes matches the government's release, indicating they are not original to the report. No online matches were found for other quotes, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based news outlet. While it is a known publication, it is not as widely regarded as some other UK news organisations. The Gardens Trust is a legitimate organisation dedicated to the protection and conservation of historic parks and designed landscapes. However, the report does not provide direct links to official statements or documents from The Gardens Trust, which would enhance credibility. The lack of direct verification from The Gardens Trust raises some concerns about the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative discusses the UK government's proposals to streamline the planning system by removing certain organisations from the list of statutory consultees, including The Gardens Trust. This aligns with the government's announcement on 10 March 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bureaucratic-burden-lifted-to-speed-up-building-in-growth-agenda?utm_source=openai)) The concerns raised by The Gardens Trust about the potential impact on green spaces are plausible and consistent with the organisation's mission. The report also mentions public sentiment, citing a report by The Gardens Trust revealing over 90% of Britons worry about the impact of building 1.5 million new homes on local green spaces. However, without access to the original report, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this statistic. The narrative does not provide specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, or dates, which would strengthen its credibility. The tone and language used are consistent with typical reporting on government policy changes.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative discusses recent UK government proposals to streamline the planning system by removing certain organisations, including The Gardens Trust, from the list of statutory consultees. While the content is timely and relevant, it relies heavily on a press release and includes quotes that match the government's announcement, indicating potential reuse. The source, the Express, is a known publication but not as widely regarded as some other UK news organisations. The lack of direct verification from The Gardens Trust raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The plausibility of the claims is supported by the government's announcement and the mission of The Gardens Trust, but the absence of specific factual anchors and direct verification from The Gardens Trust limits the overall confidence in the narrative's accuracy.
