Planning permissions in England have halved in four years to just 115,000 homes.
Figures released today in Home Builder Federation’s latest Housing Pipeline report revealed the lowest number of permissions since the survey began in 2007.
The figures are a huge wakeup call and underline why Government must stand firm and deliver its pro-growth National Planning Policy Framework.
Government is currently considering responses to its consultation on the NPPF but has come under pressure from the anti-development lobby’s scaremongering.
If the new planning system fails to deliver, it could undermine the NewBuy mortgage indemnity scheme, Get Britain Building, and release of public land, warned the HBF.
Planning permissions granted now will, in the main, be built during the next three or four years.
At a time when fewer homes are being built in England than at any time since the 1920s, the figures reveal the potential for intensifying the country’s housing crisis.
An additional 140,000 homes a year are needed to meet demand. Delivering these could create half a million jobs and boost the economy both locally and nationally.
Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said: “This is a stark reminder as to why Government must stand firm and deliver a robust and adequate planning system.
“Government has recently unveiled some very positive measures aimed at boosting housing supply, particularly the NewBuy scheme, but they cannot succeed unless we have a truly pro-growth functioning planning system.”
