黑洞社区

The government鈥檚 proposals on build-out rates could be 鈥渃ounter-productive鈥� and slow down the pace of new housebuilding rather than speed it up, the Housing Forum (THF) has said.

As part of its aim to see 1.5 million new homes built by 2029, the government is proposing to introduce a new statutory build-out reporting framework.

But the THF fears the proposed framework would 鈥減it developers and councils against each other鈥�.

The government is currently consulting on requiring developers to state the speed at which new housing will be delivered when they apply for planning permission. Potential penalties under the proposals include fines for late delivery imposed by local authorities, and the refusal of future planning applications.

THF鈥檚 director of policy and public affairs, Anna Clarke, said the proposed measures 鈥渨ould pit councils and developers against each other in costly and slow legal battles, with councils expressing fears that this could turn into a mud-slinging match between councils and developers over who is to blame鈥�.

She added: 鈥淚t is usually the case more than one factor is holding development up simultaneously. Third parties 鈥� such as the Highways Agency or 黑洞社区 Safety Regulator 鈥� are often responsible for delays.鈥�

The consultation on the government鈥檚 build-out rate proposals launched in late May and closes on 7 July.

Announcing the plan last month, housing secretary Angela Rayner said developers had to 鈥渞oll up their sleeves and play their part鈥� and warned: 鈥淣o more sites with planning permission gathering dust for decades.鈥�