A Parliamentary Private Members Bill by Andrew Dismore MP has been branded as both a waste of Parliamentary time and a demonstration of the lack of understanding of housing issues by some MPs by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

The Bill requests that under the planning system ‘special regard shall be had to the desirability of preserving gardens and urban green spaces’, however these powers are already available under the existing planning rules to the every single Local Authority (LA) and they are allowed to take into account any consideration they feel necessary when assessing a planning application and setting policy.

Andrew Whitaker, planning director at the HBF, said; “It is extremely disappointing that at a time when we have an increasing housing supply crisis a MP would devote valuable parliamentary time to promoting a Bill which is both unnecessary and will do nothing to help those needing homes. MPs should be exploring why house-building has dropped to the lowest level since World War II at a time when almost two million families are registered on LA housing waiting lists.

“Addressing how we supply enough land on which to build the homes we desperately need, and the chronic shortage of mortgage availability, would be a far better use of legislative and parliamentary time that could result in huge social and economic benefit. When scoring opportunities are in short supply it is vital to shoot at the right target.”

The proposed Bill therefore misses the point that the UK has a major housing shortage with insufficient homes being built the HBF has stated, with many people struggling to enter the housing market with the waiting list for affordable homes approaching five million.

The important role that properly adopted local plans can play in ensuring back garden development is managed to ensure outcomes that meet and balance local needs was highlighted in research published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in January 2010.

John Healey, housing minister, said, “Councils already have the tools they need to deal with this issue.”