COUNCILS across the South must be “more ambitious” in their homebuilding plans, according to a leading property consultant.

David Ramsay, from Southamptonbased consultancy JLL, says the Solent is facing a housing crisis unless councils improve their approach.

The twin factors of population growth and demand for housing outstripping supply are the main reasons behind the need for housing, he said.

Mr Ramsay, who gave a presentation at the Southampton Property Association event at The Port House in Port Solent, said: “Most authorities are underplaying the need for new houses in their areas because development is often feared by local people.

So there remains a disconnect between central government rhetoric, which states that hundreds of thousands of homes are needed across the UK, and the reality of what is being delivered at a local level.

“Combine this with high demand and a rapidly increasing population, and we will start to see the effects of the housing shortage worsen with prices continuing to rise as the market becomes more competitive.

“In the worst cases, some local authorities have suffered big delays in publishing their local plans, which dictate how many houses are needed in that area, and this will further delay the delivery of the significant housing growth that is needed.

“Councils need to set more ambitious housing targets that reflect the needs of their communities and take a more pragmatic approach when it comes to reviewing the planning applications.”

At the event Mr Ramsay also discussed the recent changes in planning to the permitted development rights, which are likely to affect high streets in the region.

He also talked about the fact that many firms choose not to build offices as they are not deemed to be financially viable, adding: “With a rising economy, it’s only a matter of time before new office development becomes viable, but in the meantime, we are seeing some local authorities take a more relaxed approach to sites that are earmarked for employment.”