The country鈥檚 planning policies, which thwart development, hinder the supply of new homes

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While the housebuilding industry is no doubt in recovery mode, echoed in recent statistics on planning applications and construction activity, the single biggest barrier to meeting the housing needs of a growing population is an ingrained opposition to development. While last year鈥檚 planning reforms appear to be having some modest impact, to build the 250,000 new homes we desperately need much more needs to be done. The country鈥檚 planning policies, which thwart development, hinder the supply of new homes.

Undersupply is no doubt pushing up prices, and developers would welcome a normalised system where increased supply could lower demand and contain prices, as this in turn would lower the values land is currently commanding.

Bob Weston, chairman and managing director, Weston Homes

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