Planning System Is Biggest Threat to Further Housebuilding

Housebuilding sites across the UK are becoming ‘stuck’ in the planning system, with an estimated 150,000 plots at ‘outline permission’ stage awaiting full sign off by local authorities.  The figures released by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), show a big surge in house building activity across the UK, but says that more needs to be done to help speed up planning approvals.  Although the number of homes securing planning approval during the first quarter was 8% up on the level seen a year ago, the number of sites consented to dropped to 679 from 885 in Q4 2013 and 807 in the same quarter last year. The report also shows there has been a 10% drop in social housing approvals over the past 12 months to Q1 of this year. Read more on the HBF website.