Property developers are crying out for more cash from Labour to help get their projects off the ground! A new survey from Knight Frank has revealed that 52.5% of SME housebuilders are demanding more funding for planning departments.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised to recruit 300 new planning officers – but that’s barely one per local authority! It’s hardly enough to deal with the massive backlog of planning applications.

Five-Year Supply – Back to Basics?

Developers are also pushing for the return of the five-year supply test. This important test helps to ensure there are enough homes being built to meet local demand. But this test has been scrapped, leaving a huge gap in planning policy.

Housing Targets – A Welcome Step, But Not Enough

The good news is Labour has already introduced a target to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. This is a step in the right direction, but developers want more! They’re calling for more action to streamline the planning process.

Developers – Planning Delays are Killing Us!

Developers are struggling to get their projects approved. A massive 67% of housebuilders are blaming planning authority resourcing and long delays for holding back their projects. They’re also frustrated by the cost of affordable housing obligations, which they say are making developments unviable.

A Recipe for Disaster?

The survey shows that the planning system is in desperate need of a shake-up. If the government doesn’t act quickly, we could see a dramatic fall in new homes being built. This will only push up house prices and make it even harder for people to get on the property ladder.

More Money Needed Now!

The bottom line is this: developers need more money to help them deal with the complex planning system. They want more funding for planning departments and a fairer system for affordable housing. It’s time for the government to listen and act before it’s too late!