The housing crisis is leaving an increasing number of our young residents unable to get on the first rung of the housing ladder, forcing them to leave their communities, with housing waiting lists spiralling into the thousands. In this context, efforts to improve the delivery of homes and reduce obstacles in the current system should be welcome.

But the Government's white paper also lays the groundwork for a more strategic, joined up and upscaled planning system, which could greatly assist the housebuilding drive in county areas. With counties playing a crucial role, strategic planning could align a system that is currently out of sync.