GB Concrete and Pump have analysed data to find the toughest areas in the UK to receive approved house planning permission
A report investigating the difficulty of different areas to receive approved house planning permission has been published by GB Concrete and Pump.
The report analyses data in planning application statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
The data spans four years
The data analysed spans from July 2020 to June 2024.
The report found that the most difficult areas in the country to receive approved house planning permission are:
- London – With an approval rate of 72.36 applications out of 100 being approved, London tops the list as the most difficult area to receive approval. London is also England’s homeless capital, with 56% of the country’s number of homeless households currently in temporary accommodation. This rose by 10% between 2023 and 2024. These go hand-in-hand to increase demand, competition, and prices, making it harder for vulnerable people and families to get a home.
- East of England – The East has an approval rate barely above London’s at 78.71 out of every 100 applications approved. Separate reports also show that the region has a problem with affordable housing which, similar to London, increases the probability that vulnerable people will not be able to afford or secure a home.
- North West – The North West sits at 80.45 out of 100 applications approved, and shares similar issues with the East, with a lack of affordable housing, and rising rent costs making finding a home difficult.
The report also shows the easiest area to receive approved house planning permission
The best areas to secure planning permission are:
- North East – The North East is the easiest region to secure permission, and is also the cheapest area to buy a home. 85.42 out of every 100 applications was approved, making it the easiest area to build or buy a home in the country.
- South West – The South West sits at 83.33 out of every 100 applications receiving permission, placing it firmly as the second best region to apply for permission.
- Yorkshire and the Humber – At 82.84 out of every 100 applications approved, Yorkshire and the Humber is the third best region to apply for permission, and separate reports show it is the second best region in the country to buy a home in terms of cost.
A spokesperson at GB Concrete & Pump says: “Our research highlights a worrying housing gap across England. London and the East of England, which have some of the highest housing demand in the country, have the lowest approval rates.
“This disparity is concerning as it suggests that regions with the most acute housing needs are struggling to increase housing supply at a rate comparable to other areas. This may worsen existing inequalities by making it even harder for people in high-demand areas to access affordable housing.”
