HBF attacks South East RSS figures

Housebuilders have hit out at a Planning Inspectorate report published today, which will make government plans to build 3m homes in the UK an uphill struggle.

Three government inspectors reviewing plans in the south-east say 32,000 new homes a year should be built over the next two decades, equal to 640,000 by 2026.

The recommendation falls short of the government’s target of 38,000 homes a year for the South East.

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said a target of 32,000 homes did not go nearly far enough, despite being a rise on the 28,900 suggested in draft proposals of the South East Regional Spacial Strategy.

The HBF said the South East needed 40,000 if it wanted to address a growing shortfall of homes.

Executive chairman of the HBF Stewart Baseley commented: "32,000 new homes per year will not go anywhere near meeting the clear housing need in the region. This is less than required to meet government household growth projections.

"Without sufficient homes, the social consequences for families in the region will be dire. With housing affordability already stretched to the limit, these woefully inadequate targets will mean more people than ever will be excluded from home ownership."