06 Mar 2013, 4:41 pm
The HBF said in a statement that it wants to ensure that local authorities are abiding by their responsibilities under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which requires them to "robustly assess" their housing needs and ensure sufficient land allocation to meet that need.
The industry body said that its previous representations at "numerous" selected local plan examinations since the introduction of the NPPF had revealed some emerging trends that "emphasise the need for more resource to allow representation at ALL future plan examinations".
Observations at previous examinations included a failure by the local authority to conduct objective assessments of housing needs, subjective considerations "distorting" the objective assessments and a failure to comply with the duty to cooperate, the HBF said.
“If the new planning system is to work as intended and deliver the homes the country needs it is vital that Local Authorities abide by the responsibilities it has given them," said HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley.
"This new capacity will enable the industry to be represented at all future Local Plan Inquiries, and ensure we are challenging Local Authorities that are not making adequate provision for their housing need. With power comes responsibility and we want to ensure responsibilities are being met,” he said.
