<b><b> The recent consolidation in the housebuilding industry is reflected in the latest quarterly study of regional planning applications. </b><b>Steve Menary</b><b> reports</b></b><br><b><b></b>The latest survey of &amp;"who's building where&amp;", undertaken by EMAP Glenigan, the planning and construction information specialist, sees Persimmon popping up in the top 10 of every region following its takeover of Beazer. For the purposes of the survey Wainhomes now comes under the Wilcon banner and Bryant under Taywood, although the names survive on site. </b><br><b>The study, carried out exclusively for <i>HouseBuilder</i>, ranks housebuilders in Britain's 11 regions by the number of units included in detailed planning applications over the past year. </b><br><b>The latest research covers the 12 months from April 2000 to March 2001.</b><br><b><b>Persimmon impact</b></b><br> The Persimmon board has promised to cut gearing by selling land, and the survey indicates Persimmon's nationwide strength and the areas where the group is strongest.<p></p><p> In a recent statement, Persimmon said: &amp;"The cash paid for Beazer, plus debt, will take Persimmon's gearing to about 100% initially. </p><p>&amp;"The board is confident of reducing gearing to about 70% within 12 months. This will be achieved partly by managing the reduction of the combined land bank of about 58,000 plots to some 50,000 plots, …