The Tories have pledged to remove power over housing targets from regional assemblies and give them to councils and local communities.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne  told the British property federation the Government should work with local communities instead of against them for new housing, and move away from a regional partnership and towards a local one. ‘The whole process starts with huge regional housing targets announced by ministers.' he said. ‘These targets are then handed down to unelected, unaccountable and unwanted regional assemblies and regional housing boards to impose on local authorities.' The Conservatives are keen to move away from this approach, highlighting dissatisfaction with decisions being made in one part of the region that are affecting another.