Councils Told "If You Snooze You Lose" in Push for Faster Approval Times

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is set to address housing officials tomorrow, urging them to speed up approval times for new developments. Gove plans to announce a consultation on enforcing quicker decision-making processes for planning applications. If officials fail to make a ruling within the designated timeframe, applications will be automatically approved as long as all other requirements have been met. Currently, major developers are waiting an average of over 12 months for a decision.

Government to Intervene in Slow Council Planning Departments

Gove will also promise to "intervene" in cases where council planning departments cause delays in house building. A source from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC) stated that the government is on the side of builders and expects councils to deliver the necessary homes without harming the countryside. Gove has already urged councils to speed up the process and is providing support to help them do so. However, those that continue to delay can expect government intervention.

Developers Welcome Gove's Proposal as a "Sweetener"

While developers welcome the proposal, they believe it is only a small gesture. Representatives from the housing industry argue that overall government building policies are failing the public. They warn that the number of new homes being built may drop below 200,000 next year, the lowest figure in a decade, due to anti-growth policy and rhetoric.

Local Authorities to Have More Control over Housing Needs

Gove will also address concerns from Tory NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard) by confirming that local authorities will no longer be required to use central government-designed formulas to assess their housing needs. Instead, town hall chiefs will determine the number of new homes needed locally. They will be obligated to publish local housing plans and provide up-to-date data on the speed of decision-making for planning applications.

Record-Low Planning Permissions for New Homes

New data reveals that planning permission for new homes has reached a record low. In the 12 months leading up to September, there was a two percent decrease in the number of approved developments compared to the previous 12 months. This represents a 20 percent decrease from the same period last year. Developers warn that next year's supply of new housing could drop below 200,000, attributing this decline to several years of anti-growth policies and rhetoric.

Overall, Gove's proposal aims to streamline the approval process for new homes and address concerns raised by developers and local authorities. By encouraging faster decision-making and granting more control to local authorities, the government hopes to boost housing development and meet the country's needs.