RELEASE OF LAND FOR NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

That this House recognises the urgent need to address the shortage of homes in this country; recognises the economic and social consequences of unaffordable housing, particularly for first-time buyers; notes that annual land supply for new development fell by seven per cent. between 1997 and 2003; welcomes the Government's commitment to increasing housing supply by three million homes by 2020; applauds the Unlock the Land campaign by Housebuilder magazine, calling for more land to be released for new housing developments; and calls on the Government to ensure that the planning system is used constructively and speedily to release more land to provide the homes necessary to meet the needs of people throughout the UK.