No one is denying that there is an acute shortage of housing and there has been for some time. A whole generation is being confined to a lifetime of renting. And even that is becoming unaffordable.

The housing crisis brings with it societal issues. People are unable to put down roots and as such put off having families. As a result the country will suffer from demographic problems in the future.

Building more homes would also give the economy a much needed shot in the arm.

However, the Government cannot rip up the democratic oversight that safeguards communities from unfettered, unsuitable development.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed arriving for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street. PIC: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

placeholder image — Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed arriving for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street. PIC: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

The alarm bells should have started ringing when Labour started talking about building on ‘low-quality’ greenbelt land and started attacking so-called Nimbys.

Talk of the Housing Secretary vetoing local objections to speed up planning delays will cause anxiety across the country.

That is part of the reason why people in places like Leeds are fearful that they’re about to have unsuitable housing developments imposed on them.

Policymakers face an invidious situation when it comes to housing. Other countries can deliver developments at pace while in the UK they are often caught up in a tangle of objections and red tape. Thereby also throttling the economy.

However, the Government has a thin line to tread. The febrile atmosphere around the country cannot be overlooked by any of the large Westminster parties.

Running roughshod over local concerns would only further fuel the sentiment that Westminster is out of touch. This is a dangerous place for all of the established political parties to be in.

Housing should not just be about building more homes but rather establishing communities.