The house-building industry has welcomed the Housing Minister, Grant Shapps' commitment to cutting red tape, simplifying the planning system and increasing housing supply, but demanded more detail on the policies behind the promises.

The national housing crisis has seen fewer homes built in the last year than at any peacetime since 1923 while first-time buyers are at record lows. While the Government is insisting that it wants to encourage and meet aspiration, home-builders fear that the current hiatus in the planning system will continue without concrete details of the new Government’s proposals.

HBF, that represents the industry, is demanding that ministers act quickly to provide a route map for how it intends to reduce regulation, as well as detail and certainty on the key planks for the Coalition’s new planning system.

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A pro-development planning system, coupled with the New Homes Bonus community incentive have been promised since before the election but further announcements have been painfully slow in appearing. The date for the consultation on the New Homes Bonus is yet to be announced 5 months after Sec of State Eric Pickles abolished the Regional Spatial Strategies, a decision that saw proposed housing developments across the country scrapped.

HBF has worked closely with the Government and supports the need for change, but is today asking for a firm timetable for implementation on policies.

HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said: "Grant Shapps' commitment to the removal of red tape is welcome and we are keen to work with Government to create their planned climate for delivery. But we urgently need clarity on this and on how the new incentive and planning systems will work.

"A firm timetable for implementation of the Coalition's new policies would give industry and communities the necessary clarity and help end the current house building hiatus."

(CD/BMcC)