Whilst welcoming the Conservatives' commitment to increase much needed housing supply, their Planning Green Paper proposals published today pose some significant concerns for developers the HBF said on behalf of the house building industry.

It believes that scrapping regional targets and structures and devolving power down to local communities is a high risk strategy, as whilst most people recognise the general need for more housing, when it is on their doorstep acceptance of that principle is often lacking. Many areas of the country face acute housing shortages and there are inevitable social and economic implications that come with not building enough homes for the local population. Similarly, the proposed changes to the appeals system would increase uncertainty for developers which in itself could result in less rather than more homes being built.

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HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said: "Whilst appreciating that there are shortcomings in the current planning system, implementation of such a radical policy potentially is a high risk strategy and may have unintended consequences which need to be addressed. HBF and the industry is committed to working with whichever party is in power to ensure much needed housing is delivered."

(CD/BMcC)