House builders will be encouraged to develop more homes near transport links following the launch of Platform4 – a new property company set to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield land near stations.

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed said: “We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet, and proposing to streamline the consultation process to cut back delays.

“This is about action: spades in the ground, breathing new life into communities, and families finally getting the homes they need.”

Measures will also require councils to inform government when they are inclined to block applications of 150 homes or more so ministers can decide whether to step in and make the decision instead.

Applications called in by ministers will also be sped up through the removal of the mandatory requirement for inquiries.