Town and Country Planning Association: Building for the Future - The Role of County Councils in Meeting Housing Need

This report examines how county councils can play a stronger role in tackling England’s housing crisis.  

Produced by the Town and Country Planning Association for the County Councils Network (CCN), the report shows that housing affordability pressures in county areas are acute, with high house prices and growing demand linked to population growth and ageing. Although counties are not usually housing planning authorities, the CCN highlights that they already exert significant influence through infrastructure, land ownership, economic growth and service delivery.

The report draws on a survey of the CCN’s members, case studies and stakeholder engagement to demonstrate how counties are innovating through housing companies, joint ventures, use of public land and support for specialist and community‑led housing. These approaches allow areas to deliver a wider mix of tenures, generate income, and support wider objectives such as health, social care and place‑making. However, progress is constrained by skills capacity, funding, planning fragmentation and limitations on the use of public sector land.

The report concludes that CCN member councils have both the ambition and capability to do more. With clearer roles in strategic planning, reform of land and funding rules, and targeted support from government, counties could make a significant contribution to delivering well‑designed, affordable and inclusive homes in the right locations.

The survey carried out for the report found that:

• 62% of responding counties described affordable housing need as severe.
  ‍
• Over half of counties have established or are exploring housing companies.
  ‍
• 76% cited income generation as a key driver for housing innovation.
  ‍
• Two‑thirds identified lack of skills and capacity as a major barrier.
  ‍
• 45% are delivering or exploring specialist housing such as extra‑care.

Recommendations to government include:

• Give counties a clearly defined role in national housing policy.
  ‍
• Introduce minimum accessibility and inclusion standards for new homes.
  ‍
• Protect councils’ ability to replace homes sold through Right to Buy.
  
• Recognise counties’ strategic role within Homes England programmes.
  ‍
• Provide capacity funding to strengthen housing delivery skills.

• Make counties formal partners in strategic housing and infrastructure planning.

‍