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Land 'no cure for housing crisis' Land 'no cure for housing crisis'
(about 2 hours later)
A shortage of building land is not the cause of high house prices, according to a study carried out for the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Increasing the supply of land available for construction would do little to bring down house prices, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has said.
The study tracks house prices, completions and housing land supply over periods of 10 years or more. According to a study for the CPRE, rising house prices are a reflection of bigger incomes and mortgage loans.
It said rising house prices reflect higher incomes and mortgage amounts. The research tracked house prices, completions and housing land supply over periods of 10 years or more.
CPRE policy director Neil Sinden said proposals to relax planning controls could "unleash a new wave of urban sprawl across the countryside". It suggests that proposals to relax planning controls could "unleash a new wave of urban sprawl" in the country.
The government is currently considering proposals that would see minor developments such as conservatories no longer needing planning permission, where there is judged to be little impact on neighbours.The government is currently considering proposals that would see minor developments such as conservatories no longer needing planning permission, where there is judged to be little impact on neighbours.
There are also considerations for replacing public inquiries into major schemes with an independent commission.There are also considerations for replacing public inquiries into major schemes with an independent commission.
Relaxation 'Large' supplies
CPRE policy director Neil Sinden said: "Evidence uncovered by this study suggests the government needs to rethink its planning policies for housing.CPRE policy director Neil Sinden said: "Evidence uncovered by this study suggests the government needs to rethink its planning policies for housing.
There is, in principle, plenty of land there John Slaughter Home Builders FederationThere is, in principle, plenty of land there John Slaughter Home Builders Federation
"The relaxation of planning controls, which it is pursuing, will encourage builders to use more greenfield land rather than redevelop more difficult urban sites."The relaxation of planning controls, which it is pursuing, will encourage builders to use more greenfield land rather than redevelop more difficult urban sites.
"This could unleash a new wave of urban sprawl across the countryside and deprive our towns and cities of continued investment in regeneration.""This could unleash a new wave of urban sprawl across the countryside and deprive our towns and cities of continued investment in regeneration."
According to the study, most of the local authorities it looked at had large land supplies, enough for more than 10 years' demand. All had either constant or rising amounts of land available.According to the study, most of the local authorities it looked at had large land supplies, enough for more than 10 years' demand. All had either constant or rising amounts of land available.
John Slaughter from the Home Builders Federation told the BBC that it was a "myth" to suggest the industry had an agenda to dismantle the greenbelt.John Slaughter from the Home Builders Federation told the BBC that it was a "myth" to suggest the industry had an agenda to dismantle the greenbelt.
Construction firms had adapted "very effectively" to increased building on brownfield land in recent years but in future may in some areas need to consider greenfield development due to shortage of land.Construction firms had adapted "very effectively" to increased building on brownfield land in recent years but in future may in some areas need to consider greenfield development due to shortage of land.
"There is, in principle, plenty of land there," he said."There is, in principle, plenty of land there," he said.
"The key issue is actually bringing it flexibly to the planning system so it has got permission to build on.""The key issue is actually bringing it flexibly to the planning system so it has got permission to build on."