New research has revealed nearly half of councils (45%) see a lack of planning resources as one of the barriers to developing more small sites.

In a new joint report from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), 90% of local authorities believe the Government's target of building one million new homes by 2020 will be impossible to meet due to a lack of planning resources.

With more than a half of councils delivering less than 40% of homes on small sites, builders and local authorities are calling for councils to be allowed to raise planning application fees.

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Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said government targets wont be met "unless more SME housebuilders can enter the housing market".

"In this research, both local authorities and SME builders identify under-resourcing as a key barrier to allocating more small sites and getting planning permissions in place on them.

"Too often small sites are dealt with entirely by inexperienced officers. There simply aren't enough senior and experienced planners to make the system work effectively.

"Planning departments need a cash injection and we therefore urge the Government to take on board concerns shared by both builders and councils and to allow local authorities the power to increase planning fees."

To view the joint report, visit here.

(LM/MH)