With the Government determined to build 3 million new homes by 2020 glaring flaws in the planning system are becoming apparent.

This prime time documentary highlighted the overwhelming need for land suitable for housing. This is because:

- The population is booming. In fact it’s growing at its fastest rate for 40 years
- There has been a massive rise in smaller families meaning more homes are needed

However the program states that the current planning system can’t cope (although it now looks as if the Government are taking steps to improve this system by encouraging house building), and local authorities have been making poor planning decisions such as allowing homes to be built on flood plains.

As well as discussing the NIMBYs (= Not In My Back Yard) i.e. the people who are opposed to development, the program also outlines:

- How supporters are saying building new houses is critical to the economy
- Many experts are saying that 3 million homes will not be enough to accommodate the demand
- And the absolute need to have infrastructure in place which is able to support any new development

Further Reading
Planning Wars, ITV Press Release