Henry Boot looks to quadruple housebuilding applications in North and Midlands after Labour's planning reforms

The company’s CEO Tim Roberts told The Yorkshire Post: “If we get better policy, the sector will respond to that.

“We believe that we will put an additional 8,500 plots for planning. That compares with a normal year where we make applications for 2,000 homes.

"We will invest money in pursing those planning applications and we will take on more people at Henry Boot. That is good for the economy.”

He added: “Henry Boot is based in Sheffield but we are a national business. It is a good sign for what is happening in the country that we feel we can put more planning applications in the Midlands and the North. Broadly, 35 per cent of them will be affordable properties.”

Labour have proposed changes to the country’s National Planning Policy Framework, including upping a target for new homes to 370,000 per year from a previous 300,000. Local councils will need to provide five years of land supply and maintain a pipeline for development.

Mr Roberts said the changes were “positive” but said further reforms are needed – particularly around having more planning officers at councils.

Earlier this week, a report by the Home Builders Federation warned that 12 months to June saw the fewest new home permissions granted for over a decade at just over 230,000. This is around 45 per cent down on what was being achieved in the late 2010s.

Large planning applications are supposed to be assessed within 13 weeks but developers have warned in some cases the process can take 18 months or longer.

Mr Roberts said some applications currently take years to be determined.

He said: “The next thing the Government have to do is to make sure that local authorities are properly resourced and we’ve got to keep the Government’s feet close to fire on that.

"Planning authorities have got to have the ability to scrutinise, test and then hopefully pass some of these applications. We want as a country more homes but agree with the Government that we also want quality development.”

He said he believes that with improvements to the planning system, the construction industry will have time to adjust to increased demand for housebuilding projects.

Mr Roberts said those concerned that Labour’s plans will result in houses being built in unsuitable locations should have faith that both developers and councils will act prudently.

"Henry Boot is sensitive to the environment. We’ve been around for nearly 140 years so we have deep roots in our communities and we are a responsible, respectable business. There is a need for housing and it will have all sorts of benefits for Britain.

"The way younger generations are going to be able to afford houses is if we build more homes for them.

"Housing needs to be a priority. The planning system has lost its way but is fundamentally a good system. Then the market will not build acres of homes where there is no demand. In many respect the market is better at deciding where homes should be than the public sector.”