Local councils across Sussex have become unable to protect their rural communities from armies of powerful developers.

This month the UK’s third largest house builder, Taylor Wimpey announced record breaking profits amid claims that developers are slowing down house building for commercial gain (The Independent March 1). CPRE Sussex believes developers like Taylor Wimpey are controlling prices and build-rates in the county to keep the cost of homes artificially high to boost profits. The company’s own website shows a raft of forthcoming developments across Sussex but only 6 houses currently available for sale under £300,000 [Data correct on 10 March 2016]..

"Build rates are determined by the commercial imperative not only to make a profit but to increase profits year-on-year,” Says CPRE Sussex’s Roger Smith. "Government Ministers blame Councils and the planning system for housing shortages and the lack of affordable housing when in reality it is developers, aided and abetted by these same Ministers, who are responsible and blameworthy.
 
And he warns that due to the “five year supply loop-hole” even councils which have a local plan in place are at the mercy of development companies holding back the supply of houses to protect their profits.
 
“That Horsham Council had by 2015 approved applications sufficient to deliver around 7000 houses, counted for nothing with the Inspectorate,” he says, “because developers either could not or would not commit to meeting the five-year requirement, which stood at around 5,700 houses.”
 
Another large house builder which has projects across Sussex is Crest Nicholson. The company has ongoing developments in Haywards Heath, Brighton, Pulborough, Horsham and Crawley. Crest Nicholson’s Annual Integrated Report states that the average selling price of its homes has increased by 14% in the year to October.  The cheapest Sussex property actively for sale on its website is currently being marketed at £279,950. This compares to the national average price of £196,930 (according to Nationwide Building Society figures released this month [PDF]).

Photo © taxrebate.org.uk