How to Get Planning Permission Faster Using Housing Delivery Test Scores
Tired of waiting months for planning permission?
Here’s a secret new entrants miss: you can hack the system by targeting councils that are failing to build enough homes. Thanks to the government’s Housing Delivery Test (HDT), you can spot which areas are under pressure to approve new developments—and where your chances of planning success shoot up.
What Is the Housing Delivery Test?
The HDT is the government’s way of holding councils accountable for housebuilding. It compares the number of homes built to how many were needed over the past three years. If a council hits:
95%+ – it’s doing fine.
85–95% – it must write an action plan to boost delivery.
<85% – it needs to plan for even more housing.
<75% – this is your opportunity. These councils are forced to apply the “presumption in favour of sustainable development.”
Translation? They must approve new housing unless there’s a very good reason not to. Your application now has a policy-backed advantage.
Latest stats: In 2023, 61 councils failed the test. Over 40 faced the “presumption” rule—meaning they’re effectively open for business.
Why It Matters to You
If you’re sourcing land, the HDT is pure gold. Councils with low delivery scores are desperate to catch up—so they’re much more likely to approve your plans. You’re not just another developer—you’re solving their housing problem.
And if a council’s local plan is outdated due to under-delivery, national planning policy takes over. That means less red tape, fewer objections, and faster approvals.
How to Use It
Enables BOOM!'s HDT layer:
Look for those under 75%—they’re prime targets.
Back up your planning statement:
Use the HDT score to justify your proposal.
“This authority has only met 70% of its housing need. National policy supports new sustainable development in such areas.”
Target under-delivering councils for sourcing:
Why compete in areas meeting targets, when you could source land where the council is actively trying to approve schemes?
BOOM! Makes It Easy
Manual research takes time. But BOOM! now overlays HDT data on live maps. In seconds, you can:
See which councils are failing the test
Filter land by planning potential
Spot off-market opportunities in high-need areas
HDT is available in our professional plan for just £20/ month, book a demo today to see how you can get started.
Final Thought
Most developers chase land blindly. You won’t.
By using HDT data, you’ll source smarter, apply with confidence, and increase your odds of getting a “yes.” In today’s market, that’s a serious edge.