Councils given new development powers.

Councils and mayors will be granted greater powers to seize land to build affordable housing under the Labour government’s shake-up of planning rules this week. Local authorities in England and Wales will no longer need central government permission to make compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), in a charge that is hoped to unlock vacant and derelict land. The change will be part of the planning and infrastructure bill, which is expected to be introduced to parliament on Tuesday.