Dozens of areas across the country have imposed a ban on housebuilding, after a ruling by the government’s environment watchdog, The Times has learnt.
Up to 100,000 new homes have been put on hold by the moratorium that affects large parts of Norfolk, Hampshire, Devon and the northeast.
It threatens to derail Boris Johnson’s election pledge to build 300,000 houses a year, with developers warning of “stark” consequences for the industry and local economies.
Officials in Michael Gove’s levelling-up department are understood to be “urgently investigating” measures to try and counteract the extended ban that was imposed by Natural England last month and now affects 42 local authority areas.
But they have admitted it will have an “immediate impact” on new houses getting planning
