Nearly 90% of local authorities believe the Government’s housing targets will be impossible to meet because of a lack of planning resources, according to new research.
In a joint report, the Local Government Information Unit and the Federation of Master Builders also found 64% of builders and 45% of local authorities see lack of planning resources as a barrier to developing small sites.
The research among local authorities and small to medium-sized building companies in the UK also identified demand for councils to be allowed to raise planning application fees.
LGiU chief executive Jonathan Carr-West said: 'There is a large untapped potential in small sites, but resource and capacity pressures in planning departments make it difficult to unlock.
'We need new approaches and new partnerships to build the homes we need.'
FMB chief executive Brian Berry added: 'The Government aim to build one million new homes by 2020 won’t be realised unless more SME house builders can enter the housing market.
'That’s why the barriers that SME house builders currently face need to be removed.'
