Craig Bennett, the chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, argues that housing shortages in the UK are not primarily due to restrictive planning laws but rather due to the inefficiencies of housebuilders who hold onto land for speculative gains. Even with approvals for a million homes, the slow pace of building indicates that profit motives tied to land banking distract builders from actual construction. While government reforms aim to streamline planning, Bennett believes that without addressing the underlying issues, these reforms will not lead to the promised increase in housing supply, leading to further frustration amidst anticipated demand.
Housebuilders are failing to meet the demand for new homes not due to planning laws, but because they’re not effective at building homes, says Craig Bennett.
Current regulations permit the construction of a million new houses, indicating that the issue lies more in the builders’ actions and intentions than in red tape.
Bennett argues that large housebuilders often choose to hold land and wait for price increases, promoting speculation rather than consistent building practices.
Despite claims of high customer satisfaction, housebuilders have been accused of using 'land banking' strategies that hinder the construction of new homes.
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