England faces fresh housing crisis as 55 councils SCRAP planning targets in a victory for NIMBYs: 77,000 fewer new homes could be built each year leaving first-time buyers in limbo
- The number of housing projects given the go ahead is at lowest level since 2006
- An industry leader has warned the Government has created a ‘nimby’s charter’
The number of housing projects being given the go-ahead in England has plummeted, sparking fears of a fresh housing crisis.
Figures released by the Government show the number of housing projects granted planning permission last year fell to the lowest level since 2006.
It comes as 55 councils scrapped targets to provide a steady supply of secure and affordable homes, partly spurred on by a Tory rebellion which forced Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove to abandon a mandatory target of 300,000 new homes a year.
The move led to 25 local authorities abandoning their plans to reach the targets that had been set while 30 councils had abandoned their plans before the U-turn.
The figures have sparked fears of a fresh housing crisis with senior industry leaders warning Government reforms are creating a ‘nimby’s charter’.
Figures released by the Government show the number of housing projects granted planning permission last year fell to the lowest level since 2006. Pictured: housing development in England
It comes as 55 local authorities have scrapped targets to provide a steady supply of secure and affordable homes, partly spurred on by a Tory rebellion which forced Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove (pictured) to abandon a mandatory target of 300,000 new homes a year
Executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley told the Times: ‘The collapse in planning permissions is a direct result of the Government’s increasingly anti- development policies and negative rhetoric which has effectively created a nimby’s charter.
‘Ministers have capitulated to anti-development backbenchers and now 55 local authorities have abandoned their housing plans, with others following every week. The social and economic consequences could be felt for decades.’
Developers also warned that 77,000 fewer homes could be built each year, with the fewest homes being built in the areas with the greatest housing demand.
Mr Gove’s own constituency of Surrey Heath has abandoned development plans, as well as areas like Buckinghamshire, East Hampshire and North Somerset.
Shadow Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook also told the Times the Government had ‘set in train a collapse’ in housebuilding across England which would exacerbate the housing crisis and thwart economic growth.
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesman told the Times: ‘We remain committed to delivering 300,000 new homes per year.
‘The proposed changes to the planning system are designed to support areas to get more local plans in place.
‘They will stop communities being exposed to development by appeal, where developers push new sites through the system before they have built out existing permissions.’
