Planning permissions granted in principle in 2014 rose by 12% compared to the previous year and 39% on 2012, according to a report from HBF and Glenigan’s latest housing pipeline report.
House building activity has increased significantly in the past 18 months. Figures show the number of new homes started in 2014 was up 36% on 2012.
The report highlights how sites become trapped in the planning system and raises concerns about the under-resourcing of planning departments. There are an estimated 150,000 plots at ‘outline permission’ stage awaiting full sign-off by local authorities, according to the report.
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, said: “If we are to meet housing demand it is imperative that the planning system continues to evolve such that it delivers planning permissions at the rate required to address our housing crisis.
Increasing housing delivery will provide the high-quality homes our next generation needs, support thousands of companies up and down the land and create tens of thousands of jobs.”
