Conservative Party proposals to alter the decision-making process for town planning jobs have the potential to bring about a fundamental change in the housing sector.
That view was expressed by Richard Capie, the Chartered Institute of Housing's director of policy and practice, who welcomed moves to introduce greater local accountability into the planning system.
He described the proposals as a radical programme of reforms and warned that implementing them would involve a high degree of risk for any future Tory government.
However, Mr Capie suggested that if the reform of the planning system is well implemented, it could be of real benefit.
"If [the proposals] are taken forward in conjunction with wider reform and reinvigoration of local authorities' roles in housing, they could fundamentally change our thinking and approach to housing supply," he said.
The Royal Town Planning Institute also gave a tentative welcome to the Conservative Party's interest in the planning system, but said many of the proposed reforms are unnecessary.
It stated that it is particularly concerned about the proposal to introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable developments.
