New research suggests that planning inspectors are successfully applying new planning rules to thwart local authorities which are trying to reduce housing targets.<br> <br> A report by planning consultant Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners reviewed all 55 local plans outside London that have been formally submitted and examined in the year since the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework. Of these, only 18 have been found to be sound and only two of those have a housing target lower than both the regional strategy and household projections – and both these are subject to early review.<br> <br> The report shows that there clearly is an effort by local authorities to reduce housing targets – 55% of the 55 plans propose a reduction. But the NPPF's requirement for local authorities to plan to meet the need for new homes is proving a counterweight to those efforts.<br> <br> Of the 18 plans found sound, ten proposed a reduction in their housing target but eight had to increase this to be found sound.<br> <br> NLP director Mathew Spry said of the report: "Localism created a political expectation that housing targets could be cut, but this not being reflected in sound plans. Over the …