Planning rules that prevent homeowners from building up and out are costing the economy almost £140bn a year, according to a new a report.
The Adam Smith Institute, a think tank, found that restrictions on height, width and density had cost the UK up to 6.1% of GDP.
Former housing minister Sir Brandon Lewis said the “important” research was the first analysis of its kind on lost economic growth caused by planning laws, and that reforms were vital to the Conservative Party’s chances in the next election.
