The number of planning applications coming through the system fell by 34% in 2007, with the overall number of units planned falling by 30%. The dramatic slump looks set to manifest in falling build rates during the next two years. The figures are revealed by Housebuilder’s exclusive annual house types survey on pages 41 to 42, with data provided by EMAP Glenigan. Finance editor Steve Menary commented: “Detailed applications to build 117,792 homes were submitted to the UK’s planning authorities. There was a decline in all house types, but the flood of apartments also appears to be subsiding. “Overall proposals for flats made in 2007 fell 33% on 2006, but there was also a 25.8% slump in the number of new houses last year.” <br>