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Councils in southern England dragging their heels on housing, says thinktank Councils in southern England dragging their heels on housing, says thinktank
(about 3 hours later)
New housing developments are less likely to be approved by councils in the south of England, where there is an acute shortage of supply, than in the north due to local authorities “dragging their heels”, a report says.New housing developments are less likely to be approved by councils in the south of England, where there is an acute shortage of supply, than in the north due to local authorities “dragging their heels”, a report says.
Councils are rejecting plans, particularly in rural areas, in the face of significant population growth, according to the thinktank Demos. Maldon district council, in Essex, approved just 25% of the 64 applications it received between 2010 and 2015, making it the worst local authority in England for rejecting planning applications for major residential projects. In contrast, Copeland, in Cumbria, approved 100% of 40 applications in the five years analysed.Councils are rejecting plans, particularly in rural areas, in the face of significant population growth, according to the thinktank Demos. Maldon district council, in Essex, approved just 25% of the 64 applications it received between 2010 and 2015, making it the worst local authority in England for rejecting planning applications for major residential projects. In contrast, Copeland, in Cumbria, approved 100% of 40 applications in the five years analysed.
Urban districts were found to approve the highest proportion of planning applications, and more quickly than their rural counterparts. The report suggests the UK’s housing crisis could be solved by addressing local opposition to housebuilding, which has stopped “many much-needed developments from even reaching application stage”. Demos said: “Many councils – particularly those in rural areas – are dragging their heels on approving new planning applications.”Urban districts were found to approve the highest proportion of planning applications, and more quickly than their rural counterparts. The report suggests the UK’s housing crisis could be solved by addressing local opposition to housebuilding, which has stopped “many much-needed developments from even reaching application stage”. Demos said: “Many councils – particularly those in rural areas – are dragging their heels on approving new planning applications.”
Charlie Cadywould, the author of the report, which is based on analysis of five years of planning figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), said: “The shortage of affordable housing is one of the biggest problems we face.”Charlie Cadywould, the author of the report, which is based on analysis of five years of planning figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), said: “The shortage of affordable housing is one of the biggest problems we face.”
He said it was positive that the government had committed to building more homes by doubling the housing budget, but “money is just one side of the equation. We also have to find a place to build all these new homes.”He said it was positive that the government had committed to building more homes by doubling the housing budget, but “money is just one side of the equation. We also have to find a place to build all these new homes.”
John Healey, the shadow cabinet minister for housing and planning, told the Guardian: “This new analysis suggests that some of the areas where the need for new homes is greatest are those where the fewest are being given permission to be built.John Healey, the shadow cabinet minister for housing and planning, told the Guardian: “This new analysis suggests that some of the areas where the need for new homes is greatest are those where the fewest are being given permission to be built.
“The government should think again on measures in the housing and planning bill to fund new ‘starter homes’ out of private developers’ contributions to local infrastructure like roads, open spaces and GP services, which will only undermine local support for development further.”“The government should think again on measures in the housing and planning bill to fund new ‘starter homes’ out of private developers’ contributions to local infrastructure like roads, open spaces and GP services, which will only undermine local support for development further.”
Gary Hartin, programme manager from the Nationwide Foundation, a charity that funds housing projects, said the UK housing shortage was: “adversely affecting people on lower incomes who are struggling to access decent homes which they can afford.” Gary Hartin, programme manager from the Nationwide Foundation, a charity that funds housing projects, said the UK housing shortage was “adversely affecting people on lower incomes who are struggling to access decent homes which they can afford”.
The report urges more efforts to engage local residents, writing that nimbyism and widespread local opposition to housebuilding does not have to be inevitable.The report urges more efforts to engage local residents, writing that nimbyism and widespread local opposition to housebuilding does not have to be inevitable.
Groups that have gained support among local residents should become more involved in the planning process, the report says, for example by being formally named as the applicant for planning permission, which may help generate active support among residents.Groups that have gained support among local residents should become more involved in the planning process, the report says, for example by being formally named as the applicant for planning permission, which may help generate active support among residents.
Cadywould said more community-led groups could help ensure that new developments match the needs and desires of local residents, “and in doing so turn concern for the community into active support for more local housing.” Cadywould said more community-led groups could help ensure that new developments match the needs and desires of local residents, “and in doing so turn concern for the community into active support for more local housing”.
Further support for local authorities is also recommended, to create “hyper-local housing waiting lists” with the aim of ensuring people in need in the immediate vicinity are prioritised for housing.Further support for local authorities is also recommended, to create “hyper-local housing waiting lists” with the aim of ensuring people in need in the immediate vicinity are prioritised for housing.
The analysis of 23,862 decisions on major residential applications between January 2010 and March 2015 also showed that northern councils were more likely than southern ones to meet the 13-week target for making decisions.The analysis of 23,862 decisions on major residential applications between January 2010 and March 2015 also showed that northern councils were more likely than southern ones to meet the 13-week target for making decisions.
Northern councils found to have approved the highest percentage of planning applications included Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Oldham, Wigan, Scarborough, Halton and Corby, which all gave the go-ahead to 95% or more of housing plans.Northern councils found to have approved the highest percentage of planning applications included Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Oldham, Wigan, Scarborough, Halton and Corby, which all gave the go-ahead to 95% or more of housing plans.
In contrast, Croydon council in London was found to have approved only 63% of developments, despite its population estimated to have grown by more than 10,000 over the same period, making it the worst local authority overall on planning decisions when factoring in decision timeframe and the overall number of applications.In contrast, Croydon council in London was found to have approved only 63% of developments, despite its population estimated to have grown by more than 10,000 over the same period, making it the worst local authority overall on planning decisions when factoring in decision timeframe and the overall number of applications.
Figures from the DCLG show that 118,760 homes were completed in England in 2014, which is less than half of what many estimate is needed for supply to keep pace with demand.Figures from the DCLG show that 118,760 homes were completed in England in 2014, which is less than half of what many estimate is needed for supply to keep pace with demand.