The National Assembly definitively adopted, on October 15, a text simplifying certain urban planning rules to relaunch constructions. Presented by deputy Harold Huwart, this bill received government support and was passed by 65 votes to 41. It aims to ease procedures without fully addressing the housing crisis.
On Wednesday, October 15, the National Assembly adopted in final reading a bill aimed at simplifying urban planning rules. Initiated by Harold Huwart, Liot deputy from Eure-et-Loir, and supported by the government, this technical measure includes about forty provisions to facilitate constructions and developments.
The text eases procedures for modifying local urban plans (PLU) and extends derogations granted by mayors in areas with housing needs. It facilitates the conversion of existing buildings into homes, such as agricultural installations abandoned for over twenty years or offices, and shortens recourse deadlines. It also strengthens mayors' powers against illegal constructions by increasing fines.
During the debates, Harold Huwart lamented that « thousands of mayors exhaust themselves daily to unblock construction and development projects, and housing and construction sector actors (…) despair at the inflation of costs and delays caused by our legislation every day ». He added that « for them, this text, even limited, is a useful and awaited one ».
This was the first intervention as Housing Minister by Vincent Jeanbrun, former LR deputy and mayor of L’Haÿ-les-Roses (Val-de-Marne). He recalled his ten-year term where his « long-awaited city center project » has not materialized, describing the text as « stamped with common sense » and a response « to the call and cry from the field ».
The opposition, particularly insoumise deputy Claire Lejeune, criticized the project. She reminded of an investigation for illegal interest opened against Mr. Jeanbrun in 2024, suspecting him of allocating housing to collaborators. For her, the text « introduces regressions through derogations that go in all directions », norms being there « to protect the environment and people ».
The vote resulted in 65 in favor (PS, Liot, central bloc, and LR) against 41 (LFI and Ecologists).