Letwin to investigate planning gap

As announced in the autumn budget, an independent panel has been established to review the gap between the number of planning permissions being granted and those built in areas of high demand.

Led by Sir Oliver Letwin, the vital review will provide an understanding of why hundreds of thousands of homes haven’t been built, despite having planning permission.

Currently, after planning permission is granted, a variety of factors can prevent development from starting, slowing down delivery. As of July 2016, just over half the 684,000 homes with planning permission had been completed. The review is designed to determine why.

By identifying the main causes of the gap, the review will make recommendations on practical steps to increase the speed of build out. The problem is contributing to the housing crisis; residential planning applications are currently up on recent figures, however, the time to process major applications is at a record high.

Sir Oliver Letwin, Chairman of the Review Panel, said: “This government is serious about finding ways to increase the speed of build out as well as tackling the complicated issues surrounding it.

“That’s why we have set up this diverse panel to help me test my analysis and to make practical, non-partisan recommendations, as we look to increase housing supply that’s consistent with a stable UK housing market.”

Housing Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We are determined to build the homes this country needs, but currently there is still a significant gap between the number of planning permissions being granted and the number of homes built.

“This review is vital to helping us understand how we can build more homes quickly.

“All parties have a role to play in closing the gap and I look forward to receiving Sir Oliver’s findings.”

The review will be conducted in two phases:

Phase I – currently under way – will seek to identify the main causes of the gap by reviewing large housing sites where planning permission has already been granted. Information will be determined from sessions with local authorities, developers, non-government organisations and others. Early findings will be published in the interim report.

Phase II – will make recommendations on practical steps to increase the speed of build out, which will be published in the full report.

The review will also consider how to avoid interventions which might discourage house building or hinder the regeneration of complex sites.

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