Land & New Homes
News focusing on new homes, housing development, land acquisition and joint venture projects between agents and developers.
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Housebuilders accused of ‘restricting supply’
Housebuilders are being blamed for the lack of housing supply after it was suggested that they are intentionally ‘holding back’ the construction of new homes to keep property prices artificially high in order to boost profits. The latest figures from Glenigan, which were compiled for the Local Government Association, show that 475,647 homes in England now have planning permission granted but have yet to be built. This figure is up 60 per cent since 2010, but the number of new homes being built has increased at a lower rate of 48 per cent, owed in part to the fact that the average length of time it takes for developers to complete a new home has jumped from 24 months to 32. Labour MP Clive Betts, Chair of the Local Government Select Committee, has reignited a long-running row between policymakers and the housebuilding sector over who is to blame for the current housing shortage by accusing the big housebuilders of failure to speed up housebuilding “to maximise their profits rather than addressing the country’s housing need.” “These are private companies who are very simply trying to make money for their shareholders. They are restricting supply and the government urgently needs to…
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New housing consents highest since 2008
There was a noteworthy increase in the number of planning permissions granted in the third quarter of last year, up from 53,409 consents in the corresponding quarter in 2014, according to data released in the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report. The statement suggests that 242,819 permissions were granted in the 12 months to October, the highest ‘moving annual’ total since early 2008. According to the data, 181,000 new homes were constructed in 2014/15, which broadly equates to the number of planning permissions recorded some two to three years ago. However, the industry remains concerned that the ‘lag’ of turning permissions into homes is becoming lengthier. “Whilst the overall increase in outline permissions is welcome, most of these still have to navigate the complexities of the planning system before they can be built,” said Stewart Baseley (left), Executive Chairman of the HBF. “It is imperative we speed up the time it takes for applications to be processed to the point that builders can actually build if we are to deliver further increases in housing supply.” The Government is holding a consultation on proposals to fast-track planning applications and introduce competition into the planning process, with a…
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Plans to fast-track planning for housebuilders
Planning applications for new residential property developments in this country could soon be fast-tracked for a premium fee as part of new radical Government proposals. Under the new plans designed to help housebuilders push schemes through more quickly, developers would have a choice of submitting a planning application to the local council, a competing council or a Government approved organisation that would process applications up until the decision point. Councils would also be able to offer the fast track planning application service – possibly through competition pilots or potentially through devolution deals. Communities Secretary Greg Clark (left) said, “Council planning departments play a vital role in getting local housebuilding off the ground, but for too long they have had no incentive to get things done quickly or better, resulting in drawn out applications and local frustration. “These proposals will be a boost for house builders looking to build much needed new homes for hard working families and first time buyers, and for local people looking to get a planning permission for home improvements through their local council quicker.” Given that planning is consistently listed as a major barrier to building more homes, the Government’s ambitious reform proposals have been warmly…
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The West needs 85,000 homes
85,000 new homes need to be built in the West of England over the next 20 years to meet demand, significantly more than anticipated. The four councils – Bristol, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire – estimate that the West now needs 85,000 new homes by 2036, rather than the 56,000 units originally planned. They have vowed to work together to plan the new properties and all the roads and other infrastructure that will need to go with them. A 12-week public consultation is underway offering local residents the opportunity to have their say on what sort of projects should go where.
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