The government has been accused of deprioritising planning in the Queen’s Speech earlier today, which set out the legislative agenda for the next parliament.

All that was mentioned was pre-commencement planning conditions to be “streamlined to speed up housing developments” and changes to make compulsory planning orders “clearer, fairer and faster”.

Andrew Bridges, managing director of Stirling Ackroyd, said: “Today, planning has been pushed down the agenda. Millions of people across the country see housing as one of the most difficult day-to-day problems affecting their lives. Acknowledging the role of the planning process in delaying new homes progress is a crucial first step. But planning hasn’t been prioritised as it should be.

“Planning delays are a real obstacle – approvals for new homes dropped 64% year-on-year in Q1 2016 in London. Ministers need to face up to the fact that this could continue if real change isn’t enacted – and quickly.

“Tackling rigid planning practices is no easy task, and this could usher in a new commitment to deal with planning delays. Alone, these plans might not be enough to reverse the fortunes of London’s housing deficit, but some acceptance of the issues is at least a concrete starting point.”