Further calls for council co-operation on planning

Housing minister Yvette Cooper has made further calls for co-operation from councils when it comes to boosting housing development following the publication of a major new survey.

The Housing in England 2005-06 report, published this week by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), has revealed that the proportion of 25 to 29 year olds living in private rental accommodation rose from 19 per cent to 35 per cent between 1993 and 2005.

This was accompanied by a fall in owner-occupation, down from 60 per cent of the demographic to 47 per cent over the same period, leading to Ms Cooper reaffirming the government's housing targets.

"These figures show that young families will feel the strain if we don't build more homes," commented housing minister Yvette Cooper.

"People who are opposing new housing development need to consider the unfair consequences for young people.

"In the last few weeks and months, we have seen councils in the south-east and Yorkshire oppose proposals for increased housing. Today's figures show that every region needs more homes and every council needs to do its bit to help future first time buyers," Ms Cooper concluded.

However, earlier this week it was suggested that the new 'super-agency' created through the planned merger of the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships could put the plans in doubt due to a series of management departures.


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