Latest Property News around Barry, Cardiff, Bridgend

Conservatives have attacked planning rules drawn up by Labour for triggering a shortage of family homes.

This could again affect affordability for first time buyers creating more of a demand for rented accommodation.

The Conservatives claim the small print of a report by the Labour Government’s National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) warns that demand for new homes is increasingly in the form of larger homes.

A bias in the planning system for ‘small basic flats’ leads to an under-supply of family homes; this in turn pushes up prices making it more difficult for those lower down the housing chain to move up.

However, Tories point out that Whitehall planning rules introduced by John Prescott have a bias against building family homes. All new housing developments must now pack in at least 12 new dwellings per acre.

Gardens are classed as ‘brownfield’ land, meaning they have no protection. As a result, blocks of flats are increasingly being crammed in the place of existing family homes with gardens. Planning rules on transport also discourage new homes being built with sufficient parking spaces.

Eric Pickles, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, said: “We need more family homes to provide the bedrock of stable, safe and green communities. The Government’s own report has highlighted the need for building bigger homes. Yet Labour’s rigid planning rules are preventing this.

“ By imposing arbitrary density targets on new housing, the Government is making it more expensive to buy a family home, while sprawling developments of flats often lie unwanted and unsold. This centralist red tape needs to be scrapped, so the market can provide the homes that people want, rather than following the directives of Whitehall planners.”

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors also has concerns over the NHPAU report on housebuilding levels. Jill Craig, RICS head of policy and public affairs said: “First time buyers are struggling to raise the necessary deposit to place a foothold on the housing ladder.

“ If the Government proceeds as planned, house prices will continue to out pace earnings leaving those with aspirations to home ownership cast adrift. The Government must act upon the findings of this report and immediately raise their house building target for 2016 if it has serious intentions to stabilise housing affordability.”