What's Happening?
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has reported that nearly 30,000 homes in England are delayed due to planning policy misapplications related to wastewater infrastructure. The report, titled 'A Drain on the Nation,' highlights that planning authorities are withholding permissions over drainage capacity concerns, affecting the country's housing crisis. The HBF claims that local authorities are refusing consent even when water companies confirm capacity, which deviates from established planning policy. The report also notes that water companies have received significant developer contributions but continue to impose restrictions on housing growth.
Why It's Important?
The delay in home building due to wastewater infrastructure concerns has significant economic and social implications. The HBF estimates that these delays could risk over 100,000 jobs and nearly £7 billion in economic activity. The housing crisis in England is exacerbated by these delays, as the government's housing supply targets become increasingly difficult to meet. The report calls for clearer national guidance to align planning authorities with their responsibilities, emphasizing the need for strategic infrastructure plans to support home building targets.
What's Next?
The HBF urges the government to reassert planning guidelines and ensure that water companies, in collaboration with Ofwat and the Environment Agency, address wastewater infrastructure issues. The report suggests that without intervention, the trend of delayed housing projects could become entrenched, further undermining confidence in the planning system. The government may need to take action to realign local planning authorities with established responsibilities to prevent further delays.
