New homes fall again in government’s first six months
The number of new homes in England continued to fall during the first six months that Labour has been in power, analysis suggests.
The BBC’s (https://www.bbc.co.uk/) housing tracker shows every region of England had a year-on-year fall in new homes in the second half of 2024.
About 107,000 new homes were recorded since last July’s election. This is down 10% on the same six months a year earlier.
The latest figures do not yet show the effects of housing targets and planning reforms. The government said work was under way to “get Britain building again”.
However, experts warn Labour’s manifesto target for 1.5 million new homes by the next election will be hard to achieve.
It can take on average almost four years from application to building completion, for sites with up to 100 homes, says planning consultancy Lichfields.
Director Rachel Clements said the previous Conservative government’s changes in 2023, which removed mandatory housing targets, meant developers were less likely to submit an application because of the likelihood of refusal.
What has happened in Harlow?
For government targets to be hit there would have to be 637 new homes built a year!
Since 2021 there has been an average of 471 new homes built a year.
Since July 2024 there have been 72 new homes built which is 246 below the government’s target.
This is also 173 fewer in the same six months the previous year.
Are the council playing ball?
64% of planning applications for housing decided by Harlow District Council were granted in the year ending September 2024.
Compare this with:
72% of applications across England overall. Therefore Harlow council refuse 8% more applications than the national average.
Jukes Estate Agents Harlow say:
Sales & Marketing Director Geoff Flewers says: ” There is no doubt that this type of data is highly interesting. However, I personally believe that it is going to to be a while before there is any chance of the government starting to hit their targets. They have to cross many bridges including: Overruling local authorities who in turn have to deal with the inevitable NIMBY (not in my back yard) club. Once planning is accepted there simply is a shortage of man power.”
He continues: “We need a massive amount of new properties all over the UK. In Harlow we have all sorts of developments planned for the future. NIMBYs will continue to voice their disapproval wherever new developments are planned BUT, the hard facts are these properties need to be built. I also think it is vital that a high percentage of new builds are social / affordable housing”.