Developers have failed to seek planning permission for more than a million homes on land earmarked for development by councils, according to new research.

Analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) found more than a third of homes allocated in current local plans in England have not been submitted into the planning system.

The LGA is calling for councils to be given new powers to incentivise developers to bring allocated sites forward without delay, or intervene where development has stalled.

Cllr David Renard, LGA housing spokesperson, said: 'Councils are committed to working with government to see an efficient, well-resourced planning system that ensures high-quality affordable homes are built where they are most needed, supported by the right infrastructure.

'However, there is no evidence that the planning system is holding up developments. Our research shows the opposite, with over a million homes earmarked for development that are yet to be brought forward by developers.

'This is another example of our broken housing delivery system, and shows why councils need to be given the powers to ensure desperately-needed homes are getting built in a swift and timely manner.'