Two-thirds of councillors on planning committees say housing crisis ‘severe’
An increasing majority of councillors sitting on planning committees believe there is a severe level of housing crisis in their local area, according to research published today by communications consultant SEC Newgate.
In its National Planning Barometer survey of 416 planning committee members, SEC Newgate found that two thirds rated the level of crisis as severe, marking an increase against the 2023 figures when just over half of respondents ranked the issue at this level.
The survey also found that three quarters of councillors believe the situation has worsened at both national and local level over the past year, with only 1% believing shortages are easing.
An increasing majority of councillors sitting on planning committees believe there is a severe level of housing crisis in their local area, according to research published today by communications consultant SEC Newgate.
In its National Planning Barometer survey of 416 planning committee members, SEC Newgate found that two thirds rated the level of crisis as severe, marking an increase against the 2023 figures when just over half of respondents ranked the issue at this level.
The survey also found that three quarters of councillors believe the situation has worsened at both national and local level over the past year, with only 1% believing shortages are easing.
The chief cause of concern for respondents is the provision of affordable housing, with 70% ranking it amongst their top five priorities, significantly ahead of any other issue.
And while 85% of councillors believe expertise in their planning department is high, 80% have voted against the recommendations of their planning officers, with 46% doing so three or more times.
Half of councillors surveyed said increasing workload or resource issues were hampering decision making.
Respondents also said developers claiming a lack of viability and a lack of funding for affordable housing is a significant obstacle.
SEC Newgate head of advocacy local Perry Miller said, “The planning system is far too adversarial in its approach.
“Community consultation works so much better when residents are properly informed, while developers could bring the community on the journey earlier in the process, seeking genuine input into their evolving designs and listening to what residents actually want.
“Councillors do have a difficult job: one eye on the housing numbers and another on sentiment. Understandably, that can lead to caution around engaging applicants. But it would be beneficial for councillors and developers to have better communication through the process, alongside planning officers.”
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