Local authorities across England are planning to build a total of 272,720 fewer new homes since regional spatial strategies were revoked in 2010, according to a report prepared for think tank Policy Exchange.<br> <br> Planning for Less, compiled by planning consultancy Tetlow King, reveals that councils are using their increased powers to reduce housing targets. The south east and south west regions show the largest planned reductions in housing numbers at -57,049 and -108,380 respectively.<br> <br> The report states that reducing housing targets will eventually lead to fewer homes being built. But it says that the government should concentrate on ensuring that councils deliver the number of homes they have proposed rather than acting "aggressively" towards councils that are lowering targets.<br> <br> Policy Exchange proposes that the power and number of neighbourhood plans should be increased and that funds from the community infrastructure levy (CIL) should be passed to households affected by new development. The report also recommends that more brownfield sites are used for housing.<br> <br> "Relying on councils to expand housing targets was a mistake," said Alex Morton, author of the report. "However, now the coalition should focus on fixing the multiple failures with the housing market – …