Madrid region passes law raising buildability and 'positive silence' on planning

The Madrid regional assembly, on the PP's absolute majority, has passed Law 2/2026 on Urgent Measures to Increase the Supply of Protected Housing. It raises permitted buildability by up to 30% and density by 20% in certain developments and introduces 'positive administrative silence': if mandatory sectoral planning reports are not issued within three months, processing continues automatically rather than stalling. It forms part of regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso's 'Housing Shock Plan 2026/27'.

The reform uses upzoning and a deemed-consent default to force pace into a slow planning system — distinct from Madrid city council's separate density plan — and is a centre-right test of being simultaneously pro-supply and pro-affordable-quota, echoing UK arguments over planning delay and statutory consultees.