Planning permissions were granted in outline for over 195,000 new homes in England last year, up 12% on the previous year and 39% on 2012. The figure is the highest since 2008.

The number of ‘in principle’ permissions for private homes was up 23%, says a new report from the Home Builders Federation and Glenigan.

The HBF says that the new homes will, once they have navigated the remainder of the planning process, in the main be completed over the next two to three years.

It said that as demand for new homes continues to increase, due to improved consumer confidence and the Help to Buy equity loan scheme, existing sites are getting built out quicker and builders are looking to get on to more new sites faster.

However, the HBF warned: “Whilst the increases are positive, they can only be translated into desperately needed new homes if local authorities ensure their planning departments have the capacity to process these permissions to the stage that they can actually be built.

“Too many sites are stuck in the planning system, with an estimated 150,000 plots at outline permission stage awaiting full sign-off by local authorities.”

The figures come ahead of a Westminster rally today, organised by Homes for Britain whose website is here