The Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black has expressed his concern at the slowing pace of house building in Wales, particularly by social landlords.
His concern is based on statistics released by the government that show that the number of new properties completed in January to March of this year is 32% lower than the same period last year. Mr. Black is particularly concerned that the number of units completed by social landlords dropped by almost two thirds.
In January to March in 2007 2,669 properties were completed in Wales, of these 96 were completed by social landlords. In January to March 2008 1,820 were completed, of which 34 were completed by social landlords and 5 by local authorities. For the year 2006/07 9334 properties were completed. That fell in 2007/08 to 8664.
"As it becomes more difficult to get a mortgage we are seeing building companies slow down the pace of new developments." said Mr. Black. "They are having problems selling or letting their properties and so they are beginning to cut back."
"The Government's housing policies are based on a percentage of new developments being affordable. If there is a fall in the number of new developments then there will be a drop too in the number of affordable units being built. The Government is already unlikely to meet its target of 6,500 new affordable houses by 2011 and if development slows then that will add to their woes."
"It also worries me to see the number of properties being built by local councils and housing associations falling in number. We are relying on these new homes to rent to replace local authority housing which is being lost through demolition and the right to buy. All the evidence is that those seeking affordable housing to rent in the public sector will have to wait much longer because of this hiatus."
