Redrow lashes out at local authorities for causing planning delays

The company supports the proposed NPPF which it says "represents the biggest change to planning policy in decades", but insists local authorities are making the current planning environment unworkable.

Consultation on the draft NPPF ended on 17 October. Redrow has said that it supports the proposed changes to policy, but that local authorities are using the current hiatus as an "excuse to impede and delay planning applications".

"Providing its principles are not watered down it should produce a speedier and more balanced planning system and a platform for the growth in new house building which the country desperately needs," said Steve Morgan, chairman of Redrow.

Redrow currently has 30 live planning applications for 5,219 plots, which are either delayed beyond the 13 week statutory determination period or subject to appeal. This gives an indication of the present climate, Morgan said.

The company opened this year selling 74 developments, however this has now reduced to 68 as a result of the planning delays. As older sites are completed, the newer projects cannot commence because they are stuck in the planning system.

 “We are living in times of great economic uncertainty, which weighs heavily on the market.Yet, despite the poor economic news there remains strong underlying demand for new homes," Morgan said.

Redrow has revealed that like for like private home reservations in the financial year to date had risen 14 per cent to £131 million and reservations are up by one per cent, to 39 homes per week.

"We are hopeful that this trend will reverse in the coming months as planning uncertainties recede," Morgan said.