New analysis by the LGA has revealed that more than 1.1 million homes granted planning permission in the last decade are yet to be built.
Latest figures show that 2,782,300 homes have been granted planning permission by councils since 2010/11 but over the same period only 1,627,730 have been built.
The LGA is calling for councils to be given powers to incentivise developers to build housing more quickly, including to charge developers full council tax for every unbuilt development from when the original planning permission expires.
It should also be easier for councils to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire stalled housing sites or sites where developers do not build out to contractually agreed timescales.
The number of planning permissions granted for new homes has more than doubled since 2010, with nine in 10 planning applications approved by councils. The LGA says this shows that it is the housing delivery system, not planning, that needs to be reformed.
It comes as LGA polling found that 80 per cent of MPs and 88 per cent of Peers think councils should have more financial freedoms and powers to build new homes (see p7).
Cllr David Renard, LGA Housing Spokesperson, said: “It is good the number of homes built each year is increasing. But, by giving councils the right powers to incentivise developers to get building once planning permission has been granted, we can go further and faster.”