In a dramatic policy clash at the heart of government, Treasury officials have blocked approximately 15,000 new homes across England, creating a significant challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves's pro-growth agenda.
Planning System Gridlock Exposed
The intervention comes despite the Chancellor's pledge to boost housebuilding and overhaul Britain's planning system. Internal documents reveal that Treasury officials have raised objections to multiple major development schemes, directly contradicting the government's public commitment to solving the housing crisis.
Conservative Criticism Intensifies
Senior Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown didn't mince words, labelling the situation "extraordinary" and accusing the Treasury of "completely contradictory" behaviour. "If the Treasury is going to block housebuilding," he stated, "then we are never going to solve the housing crisis."
Major Developments Stalled
Among the casualties of this bureaucratic standoff are significant projects including:
- A 10,000-home extension to the Cheshire town of Didcot
- Major urban extensions in Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire
- Several large-scale developments across southern England
Systemic Issues Revealed
The controversy highlights deeper problems within the planning system, where multiple government departments can effectively veto local planning decisions. This creates a complex web of bureaucracy that often stalls vital housing projects for years.
As the government attempts to position itself as pro-development, these revelations expose the substantial internal barriers that continue to prevent the construction of much-needed homes across England.
