The number of houses being built is rising at a slower rate in London than any other region despite the capital having the most acute homes shortage, according to analysis today. It showed 40,735 energy Performance Certificates (EPC) — a legal requirement for a new home — were granted in London in the 12 months to June. This was a six per cent rise on the 38,394 issued in 2015, the year before Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor on a manifesto promise to tackle the capital’s housing crisis. Across England and Wales as a whole the total rose more quickly, by 27 per cent to 254,894, over the same period. The biggest rise was in the North-West, up 56 per cent. The number of EPCs issued is seen as an accurate indicator of the underlying level of house building. The certificates rate the energy efficiency of a home. The figures, compiled by estate agency Savills, suggest the delivery of new homes is still falling short of the 65,000 a year identified in City Hall’s new London Plan as the minimum needed. Lucian Cook from Savills, said: “London faces a massive challenge in delivering more new homes across a range of price points and tenures. That challenge has become substantially harder in the much weaker underlying market conditions of the past two to three years.” The figures revealed the capital’s highest house-building levels were concentrated in a few east London local authority areas. About a fifth of new housing was delivered in just three boroughs — Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Newham. Mr Cook said: “Housing development has become concentrated in boroughs supportive of large scale regeneration where development opportunities are less constrained by the need to protect green spaces and where pricing allows buyers to take advantage of Help to Buy.” One leading developer said housebuilders were being deterred from developing sites in London by tougher planning demands from City Hall and councils, higher property taxes and the uncertainty caused by Brexit. Steve Turner of the Home Builders Federation, said: “On a positive note the numbers are increasing but compared with what’s needed there’s clearly a long way to go.” James Murray, deputy mayor for housing and residential development, said: “Sadiq is building record numbers of council homes and other social housing – but he doesn’t have control of the private market, where the effects of the Government’s handling of Brexit are plain to see.”
The growth rate of housebuilding in London is slower than in England and Wales , according to issuing of energy performance certificate ( EPC ) figures . Data compiled by Savills revealed 40,735 EPCs were granted in London in the year to June , up 6 % from 38,394 in 2015 . However , EPCs issued in England and Wales combined increased 27 % to 254,894 in the same period , while in the North - West they increased 56 % . Property experts cited tougher planning demands , higher property prices and Brexit uncertainty for the slower growth in London .