Ellie Ames 21 May 2024

Housing crisis has become ‘significantly worse’ in past year

Housing crisis has become ‘significantly worse’ in past year image
Image: richardjohnson / Shutterstock.com

Three-quarters of councillors believe the housing crisis has become significantly worse in the past year, according to a major survey of planning authorities in England and Wales.

In the survey of 416 planning committee members by communications consultancy SEC Newgate, two-thirds said the housing crisis in their local area was severe.

Half of councillors pointed to increasing workload and resourcing issues as key barriers to determining plannings applications.

Affordable housing emerged as a significant issue, with 30% of councillors rating it as their top priority and 70% putting it among their top five.

Meanwhile, delivering on housing targets was a top priority for just 7% of respondents, and 55% said they supported the Government’s shift away from mandatory housing targets.

On government proposals to publish planning performance league tables, just 4% of planning committee members said these would encourage more approval of schemes.

The head of Advocacy Local at SEC Newgate, Perry Miller, said the findings were a ‘stark warning’ that England and Wales are ‘at risk of total housing failure without significant interventions’.

Mr Miller added: ‘The actions and agendas of multiple actors make the issue of housing delivery a highly complex one to grapple with, and there is no silver bullet.

‘We’re at a tipping point and need change from all those working to deliver the homes the country needs.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HR Onboarding Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
You have an opportunity to be part of a busy Human Resources team which offers HR support across the Council. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner