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Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Monday, 20 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Monday, 3 August 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Construction

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of planning restrictions in London on the delivery of new homes; and what estimate they have made of the difference between the number of new homes built in London and the total housebuilding targets for local authorities in London.

Answer

Housebuilding in the capital has faced a range of challenges over recent years including high interest rates, spiralling construction costs, planning and regulatory complexity and wider economic conditions.

The government is therefore working with the Mayor of London to increase housing supply and accelerate delivery. Following consultations, the government and the Greater London Authority (GLA) confirmed a package providing targeted, time-limited support for housebuilders to improve the viability of schemes and get quicker approvals on new housing schemes across every borough. This includes the GLA’s fast-tracked planning process for sites with at least 20 per cent affordable housing, removal of design guidance that constrains density, an expansion of the Mayor’s planning powers, and temporary, partial relief from development levies for schemes able to start promptly and guarantee affordable homes for Londoners.

The package sits alongside the government’s wider reforms to the planning system, significant funding for social and affordable homes and the announcement of New Towns to drive regional growth.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2287
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Construction Housing Greater London Local government Planning permission
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk