The shortage of new housing stock in Scotland, while hugely problematic on a social level, presents housebuilders with an opportunity.
The SNP has set a target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, so it makes a lot of sense for Glasgow’s CCG to focus on this sector. But even operating in today's Brexit-induced economic uncertainty, it would seem getting statutory approval to build is the main challenge.
As council budgets are cut, so too are their resources, and that means it now takes four weeks longer to get a major planning application approved than it did a year ago.
CCG director Calum Murray rightly highlights the money and the job creation being held up by these delays.
If businesses such as CCG are to help meet the 50,000 target then it is clear improvement is required. Last year saw only 88 more homes being built than the previous year, and there was a fall in the number of new starts.
Maximum fees for planning consent have increased from £30,000 to £125,000 and bodies such as Homes for Scotland have called for additional income to be ring-fenced to improve the planning system.
The First Minister has
said the fee increase is “deliberately designed to give councils resources to improve performance”.
It is also important to note those numbers are for 2016, and the First Minister said in May waiting times were reducing.
This is welcome news. The sooner companies like CCG can get building, the more they can build, which is good for the economy and for job creation.
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