London agency insists many more new homes required across the capital

London agency Stirling Ackroyd says planning consents for new homes recovered from previous lows in the second quarter of the year, but are still insufficient to meet demand. 

Out of a possible 8,280 new homes that could have been approved across the quarter, 6,310 – or 76 per cent – were granted permission; Stirling Ackroyd says this represents a 46 per cent quarter-on-quarter improvement since the start of the year. 

Westminster proved the most proactive London borough – approving 1,720 new homes. Overall, the inner borough allowed 99 per cent of all new home applications it received, the highest rate in Greater London.

However, this year’s figures remain below those of early 2015.

“We keep hearing negativity when it comes to housing in London: not enough space, not enough money, too much nimbyism. In fact, there’s plenty of room and sufficient progress isn’t being made on a yearly basis” says Andrew Bridges, managing director of Stirling Ackroyd.

“[There’s] for up to 570,000 across the next 10 years. Sadiq Khan may be keen to protect Green Belt sites but good development is possible there too, and we need to think the politically unthinkable to solve the housing crisis” Bridges believes.

“A big challenge is how to ensure the government’s promise of onr million new homes and Sadiq Khan’s promises of over 50,000 in London, are delivered now Brexit is a reality. A more efficient planning system is the place to start. Crucially, planning reforms are still on the government agenda for now – and they need to stay there” he insists.