A Hampshire housing developer has said that a lack of planning approvals is a "stark proof" of the housing crisis.

This comes as a report by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) reveals that planning approvals for new homes are at a 10-year low across England.

In the 12 months leading up to June 2024, only 10,400 sites were approved for development, a 10 per cent decrease from the previous year.

This is despite the Government's promise of 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

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Hugo Reeve of BRiCS has spoken out about the lack of planning approvals (Image: BRiCS) Durley-based BRiCS, which is looking to expand significantly in the coming years, has called for more support for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) builders to help meet housing targets.

Hugo Reeve, managing director (land and development) of BRiCS, said: "The number of permissions for new homes in England have been on a downward trajectory for the last two years.

"There was a time when planning approvals were 53 per cent higher than they are today.

"We need to get back to those numbers - and in fact higher - as soon as possible to meet the Government’s ambition. This latest drop is despite a wide acceptance that the country urgently needs new homes in the right places."

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Mr Reeve also said that the Government's early interventions are welcome, but more action is needed to meet the "ambitious, but very necessary, mandatory housing targets".

He also called for a streamlining of the planning process and an increase in planning and county council officers to speed up development approvals.

The HBF has also highlighted the issue of affordable mortgage availability and has called for more support for buyers.

It has urged the Government to take proactive steps in its Autumn budget.

BRiCS currently has houses for sale in Bordon and Chichester, and plans for further developments in the south, including in Earnley, near Chichester, where 30 new homes are proposed.

The company is also actively searching for new land to buy, especially from owners who want to see a higher standard of design and placemaking.

Mr Reeve said: "A vibrant housebuilding industry is crucial for so many reasons, not least creating jobs and investment in local areas.

"BRiCS remains optimistic about our future, with several new developments in the pipeline that we are looking forward to unveiling."