REGIONAL planners have been criticised for failing to ensure enough homes are being built.

Figure published by the National Housing Federation show that since 2002 the North-East has missed its target for new houses by more than 11,000.

Between 2002 and last year, 47,000 were built in the region against a target of 58,350.

In Yorkshire and Humberside, 100,830 homes were constructed when the region had a target of 110,100.

According to the federation, regional planning authorities failed to ensure the right numbers of private and social homes were built – despite agreeing with Government agencies how many homes were needed to meet housing need.

Derek Long, regional spokesman, said: “Too few homes have been built in the North of England, even during the boom years.

“Urgent action is required to get house building back on track in the North.

“We need the commitment of all parties to protect the current level of public spending on housing, after the General Election, otherwise we will not see the right number of homes being delivered anywhere in the country.”

The federation said that the failure to build enough homes came at a time when more than 600,000 households in the region were on a waiting list for a social home.

In response, the Communities and Local Government Department said economic downturn had caused a dramatic fall in private house building. A spokesman said: “Since June, £4.2bn Government investment has been allocated to build more than 75,000 homes across the country, including by councils and housing associations.”