The majority of landlords feel that planning reform is not positively impacting their business according to a report by Landbay.

77% of landlords think planning reforms will not affect their BTL businesses in a positive way, with 13% think the easing of planning rules could create more opportunities to purchase new-build properties.

Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, said: “If property investors are not convinced planning reform will positively affect their business, we’re in real trouble. Landlords are an important stakeholder in the planning system and the wider housing market, driving the conversion of properties to HMOs, refits and extensions – not to mention a chunk of new-build housing.  So this level of scepticism and cynicism surrounding proposed reforms to our planning system is absolutely damning. 

“As a country we clearly need planning reform.  The Lower Thames Crossing has cost more than a quarter of a billion pounds just in planning and paperwork – not a single spade in the ground. It has cost us more to plan the crossing than it cost Norway to construct the world’s longest tunnel.”

Nearly half (47%) of landlords said that planning reform alone will not solve the housing crisis, citing factors such as the ongoing skills shortage in the construction sector – which hinders building at the requisite pace.