Delays Mount in UK Housing Schemes Amid Planning, Cost, Safety Concerns

Several housing developments across the UK and India are facing delays and challenges related to planning, affordability, and infrastructure contributions. In Chandigarh, India, the Chandigarh Housing Board is struggling to launch the Sector 53 self-financing housing scheme due to a significant hike in collector rates, pushing prices up by 30-40% and prompting refunds to applicants. Meanwhile, a UK report highlights a decline in planning approvals, with only 241,000 homes receiving permission in England in 2024, raising concerns about meeting the government's 1.5 million homes target by 2030, though easing construction costs and land prices offer some optimism. In Dudley, UK, a decision on converting a house into four flats was deferred due to council concerns about highway safety and inadequate parking layouts. Similarly, in Doncaster, a major housing scheme for 150 new homes was deferred after councillors sought clarity on the developer's financial contributions towards additional school places and the cumulative impact of multiple developments on local infrastructure. These cases reflect wider challenges in balancing housing supply, affordability, safety, and community services.