The number of planning permissions granted by councils in England was at a record low during the final months of the last government.
Data shows that for the year to June 2024, planning permission was granted for just 31,562 housing proposals, down 8% on the previous year.
From April to June this year, only 7,609 planning permissions were granted for housing projects in England, the lowest since records began in 1979.
With developers put off due to high costs and low buyer confidence, the figures show the extent of the challenge faced by Labour in its bid to build 1.5 million houses during its parliament.
The new government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the housing crisis, recently announcing a ‘brownfield passport’ plan that aims to speed up the planning process and redevelopment of brownfield sites. The government has also wasted no time in making changes to planning policy, with the deadline for the consultation period on the NPPF closing today (24/9).
Keir Starmer has pledged to take on NIMBY activists who are blocking new housing developments, but the data reveals that councils are not rejecting a significantly higher rate of applications, but rather the number of planning applications for new developments has severely decreased.
In the year to June 2024, close to 44,500 residential applications were reviewed, with slightly over a quarter rejected, marginally higher than previous years.
Tim Seddon, CEO of Retirement Villages Group, commented: “Today’s figures again confirm that the national supply of new housing is paralysed, perpetuating an intergenerational challenge with huge implications for the health of our society.”
“We’re encouraged to see the new government make housing supply a key priority. It’s clear the planning system needs urgent reform, and we would like to see pledges to fast-track urban brownfield site development and release lower quality ‘grey belt’ land implemented as soon as possible.”
“The later living sector has an important part to play by providing high-quality housing solutions for older people. If planning reform happens and inheritance tax is structured differently, so it stops acting as a barrier to downsizing for the over 70s, our sector can also help free up the wider housing market.”
“We have the tools to tackle this housing crisis. We now need to use them.”
John Anderson, CEO of Allison Homes, said: “The latest Housing Pipeline Report highlights that while setting ambitious targets is commendable, genuine reform is urgently needed to ensure that the fundamental right to a secure roof over one’s head is attainable for all.”
“Councils, developers, and communities need clear guidance on what we all need to do to ensure meaningful progress.”
“Planning approvals hitting a decade-low isn’t just alarming – it’s a crisis in the making. We’re facing a perfect storm of regulatory hurdles, economic uncertainty, and a lack of support for homebuyers.”
“While I welcome the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, we need more than just planning changes. The scale of the challenge is immense – To achieve the 1.5 million homes this Parliament will probably mean building 500,000 in the year before the next election, to catch up from where we are now.”
“We stand ready to deliver the homes this country desperately needs, but it should be much simpler to develop sites identified in local plans or brownfield sites.”
“Our industry has the potential to create jobs, drive investment in communities, and fuel economic growth. However, we require a government willing to make bold decisions and provide robust support to achieve these goals.”
“It’s time for less talk and more action.”
