The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised concerns that mandatory housebuilding targets for councils centralise policy and weaken local decision making.

In its response to the Government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the LGA also warned that the new method of calculating targets could lead to speculative unplanned development without the sufficient infrastructure.

The association also told ministers there was ‘no place’ for unfettered permitted development rights, particularly when they allow homes to be built without contributions towards affordable housing and when there are no controls to ensure the new housing is of a decent standard.

Allowing councils to set their own planning application fees and boosting the number of planners would help address national shortfalls in planning departments, the LGA added.

Housing spokesperson Adam Hug said: ‘There is a strong appetite across local government to work constructively to improve coverage of local plans and encourage housebuilding, including the vital need to deliver more homes for social rent and homes which are genuinely affordable.

However, councils and local communities know their local areas best, and need to be full partners in tackling the housing crisis together, with new development supported by the infrastructure needed to make communities thrive and proper consultation and engagement that can help ensure local people are able to benefit.

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