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Housing associations have claimed the number of new homes being built is set to plummet to its lowest level in a century. An independent report, commissioned by the National Housing Federation, claimed the number of new homes built next year could fall below the 100,000 mark for the first time in 100 years. Almost 85,000 planned homes have been scrapped by councils nationwide since the Government axed regional house-building targets, new research suggests. Communities secretary, Eric Pickles, wrote to local authorities in May outlining the coalition's commitment to abolishing regional strategies. These were formally revoked on 6 July, with immediate effect. The federation said this would be ‘disastrous' for the record 4.5 million people in England on housing waiting lists. According to the report, North Somerset Council has reduced its target by 10,750 homes, North Hertfordshire Council and Stevenage BC have suspended plans for 9,200, and Bristol City Council by 6,000. In total, 59,750 planned new homes have been scrapped in the South West region, while 20,540 had gone in the east and 1,860 in the South East. The federation has warned that the Government's failure to introduce any transitional arrangements to replace the regional planning architecture could result in a house-building slump in many places, despite local demand. Chief executive, David Orr, said: ‘With more than 4.5 million people on waiting lists, and 2.5 million people in overcrowded conditions, this is no time to downgrade the need for new homes. ‘It is, frankly, disappointing that so many local authorities have decided to revise down the number of homes planned for their areas following the scrapping of the regional house-building targets. Local authorities need to recognise that just because regional targets have gone, housing need has not.'

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New-build homes level 'is lowest for a century'

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