The Gatsby Foundation and the JP Morgan Chase Foundation are supporting the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick to undertake research to understand how parents and carers can be better supported by schools and colleges to feel more informed and confident with the advice they give to their children. Dr John Gough from our Careers team has been involved in the research project on 'The role of parents in providing careers guidance and how they can be better supported.'

You can read the report findings along with the recording of a live webinar explaining more about the project here.

• Affordable home ownership is at its lowest for 30 years with house prices now eight times higher than the average salary.
• The UK’s planning system has been seen as the culprit of this crisis, reducing housing supply and causing a huge shortage of homes for the growing population.
• Academics from Warwick Economics analysed 18 million planning applications and have pinpointed new evidence on the UK’s planning system.

Their research shows that planning refusals aren’t the problem, and the attention they get is somewhat misguided. Over the past decade, refusal rates for new housing units were almost half the rate than the previous 10 years.

It is the bigger projects which have become more significant. Large projects of over 50 housing units now represent two thirds of newly permitted developments, with very large projects of over 500 units representing 38% of new developments. Twenty-five years ago, these very large developments only made up 8% of new housing.

These bigger developments are much less likely to be refused planning permission than smaller developments. The evidence shows that a single unit project is twice as likely to be refused planning as one with over 500 houses. However, these bigger projects face far more hurdles, delays, red tape and paperwork than smaller ones. Many of these hurdles set in only once permission is granted.

It takes an average of 4.5 years for the planning process to be completed for very large developments, and in some cases can take over 11 years. This suggests that the Labour government’s focus on building new towns to meet the 1.5 million home pledge may mean these new homes do not materialise very quickly.

The research identifies five possible reasons for delays from case study evidence.

1. Financial contributions to the local area: A developer responsible for a 7000-unit estate in Bedfordshire was required to contribute almost £80m for local infrastructure (schools, roads, community facilities and transit services) and unexpected costs.
2. Infrastructure delays: The new development of Northstowe in Cambridgeshire was left in limbo for around 4 years due to a delay in the Highways England-led expansion of the A14, which the new town was entirely dependent on.
3. Regulatory barriers: The Eastern Green development in Coventry was required to comply with seven environmental regulations including sustainable drainage systems and flood risk management.
4. Council led delays: In Ebbsfleet Valley, a new town near London, the planning process for 43,000 houses started in 1996. Delays to decision making and resubmissions has meant that work did not start until 11 years later in 2007. To date only 4000 of the 43,000 houses have been built.
5. Community opposition: The Eastern Green development received over 300 pages of local objections and 173 letters in opposition were filed. The first outline application was made in 2018 and the land remains undeveloped as of 2024.

Nikhil Datta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and co-lead on the project said:

“Our research has shown that there are many often unrelated barriers which impact on the housing supply, and it is not simply planning refusal rates which are the problem. The UK government needs to consider this when setting and implementing policies. Not only is new housing hampered by the planning process itself, but regulatory barriers, infrastructure setbacks and community opposition all play a part. We will be investigating these factors further to quantify their relative importance.”

Amrita Kulka, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and co-lead on the project said:

“If the UK is to meet housing delivery targets within shorter timelines, addressing planning delays is essential. Our research highlights a shift since the early 2000s towards a greater reliance on large-scale developments for housing supply. Such developments take substantially longer to go through the planning system than projects of smaller sizes. To speed up housing delivery, the government should consider a mix of small and medium-sized developments, alongside urban extensions and new neighbourhoods.”

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive, Home Builders Federation said:

“As this important research demonstrates, there are a number of significant barriers to successfully bringing forward large sites, within a realistic time frame. Policy makers need to create a framework within which sites of all sizes can come forward more efficiently if we are to meet communities’ housing needs and allow builders of all sizes to increase output.

“Whilst the new Government’s speedy interventions on planning are welcome, there is no silver bullet and further interventions on the supply and demand side will be required. Amidst a dearth of affordable mortgage lending more support for buyers is required to provide the necessary confidence in demand that allows industry to invest. Building the homes we need will deliver both the social change and economic growth the new Government needs but will take commitment across a range of policy areas.”

• Read the briefing: Five facts on the UK planning system
• The UK planning system - Technical Appendix

About the authors:

• Amrita Kulka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick
• Nikhil Datta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and a fellow at the Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
• Edoardo Badii is a PhD student in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick.
• Johannes Brinkmann is a PhD student in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick.

Do you work in research or innovation? The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is conducting the 2024 Research and Innovation Workforce Survey. Take the survey and have your voice heard.

Warwick Law School’s Professor Shaheen Ali has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) from the University of Oslo which she received during a graduation ceremony held at the University on 2 September this year.

PAIS has secured a number of prizes from the British International Studies Association (BISA). At a ceremony held at the BISA conference in Birmingham on 6th July, the following prizes were awarded:

Early Career Excellence in Teaching International Studies Prize – Dr Akinyemi Oyawale

New Voices in Cultural Relations Prize (awarded by BISA and the British Council for best Masters dissertation in International Studies) – Louise Sherry, MA in International Relations 2022/3

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Prize – Prof. Vicki Squire

L.H.M. Ling Outstanding First Book Prize– honourable mention to Seb Rumsby former PhD student/postdoctoral fellow in PAIS

The British Academy is inviting proposals from early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences wishing to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research.

Applicants must be researchers from the humanities and social sciences and be based at an eligible university or research organisation for the duration of the Fellowship.

Applicants must be of Early Career Status, meaning they must apply within three years from the date of their successful viva voce examination. For this round of competition, applicants are expected to have completed their viva voce between 1 April 2022 and 1 April 2025.

For more information and how to apply click hereLink opens in a new window

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. The expectation is that Fellows should undertake a significant piece of publishable work during their tenure, and that the Fellowships should lead to a more permanent academic position, either within the same or another institution. Approximately 145 Fellowships will be available in 2024. Fellowships can be held at universities or at other institutions of higher education in the UK. Full details of the scheme, funding and eligibility are available on the Leverhulme websiteLink opens in a new window.

The closing date for applications to Leverhulme is 22 February 2024 at 4pm, with decisions released in May.

Sociology is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates and up to three applicants will be selected for departmental support through a competitive selection process.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Expressions of interest in the scheme should be sent by email to Amy Clarke at Amy.Clarke@warwick.ac.uk by 12noon on Monday 4th December. 
2. All expressions of interest should include the following materials:

1. An outline project proposal (2 pages maximum)
2. An academic CV
3. An email or letter confirming support for your application from your chosen mentor in Sociology (who must be a permanent member of staff).

• All submissions received by the deadline and meeting these requirements will be reviewed by the Department Selection Panel.
• The criteria for selection are:

• Research track-record of nominee
• Quality of proposed research to be conducted while at Warwick
• Fit with the mentor and the strength of their support
• Fit with broader aims of the Leverhulme competition.

5. Decisions will be reported back to applicants by 12 January 2024.

6. Successful applicants will receive feedback and administrative support from the Department and University prior to the Leverhulme deadline on 23 February 2024.

Queries about the scheme or process should be sent to Professor Goldie Osuri (Director of Research & Impact) at G.Osuri@warwick.ac.uk

Useful Links:

Scheme overviewLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

Key Dates:

Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 12noon on Monday 04th December 2023

Leverhulme Deadline: 4pm on 22 February 2024