More Houses Needed Country Wide But Is More Planning Really the Answer?

Good local governments plan housing for five years. This protects locals from unwanted developments. They can reject projects not in their plan. The government raised housing targets a lot, putting many councils in a tough spot.

Test Valley Borough Council lacks a five-year supply now and cannot regain it before dissolving. Residents are more vulnerable to poor developments.

The country needs more houses, but is more planning okay? No, one million permissions already exist. Adding 1.5 million gives builders more choices. They will likely build profitable ones first, potentially ignoring the most needed homes.

We must focus on developers to build more houses faster. The focus needs to be on changing planning rules. Developers could build in order of permission. Council tax could apply to unbuilt projects.

The developers, not residents, would pay this tax. These rules would likely speed up housing builds. Local governments must accept higher targets. They will grant lots more permissions, but all 1.5 million houses won’t be built right away.

Contact your MP. Tell them builders, not councilors, build houses. We must change the rules so the country’s needs are more important than profits.