French Property Developers Criticise 'Parochial' Stance of Mayors in France

The control exercised by local mayors over planning matters is hampering the construction of new homes in France, according to a recent study carried out by SNAL, the French national association of developers.

They claim that local mayors are too biased in favour of planning applications from individuals on single building plots, at the expense of zoning of new areas for the construction of residential developments.

The developers cite the fact that France has a continuing shortage of housing, but remains one of the least densely populated countries in Europe, as can be seen from the following table.

Table: Population Densities - Europe

Country	Population (M)	Density Km²	Urban Pop %
Austria	8.3	99	54
Belgium	10.5	344	97
Denmark	5.4	125	72
France	63	98	76
Germany	82.4	231	88
Italy	59	196	90
Ireland	4.2	60	60
Luxemburg	0.5	193	91
Netherlands	16.4	402	65
Portugal	10.6	115	53
Spain	45.5	90	76
United Kingdom	60.5	247	89
European Union	466	114	78

Source: INSEE

SNAL consider that a much more strategic approach should be taken to planning and development matters, with responsibility for planning taken away from individual mayors and vested in wider district authorities.

The study showed that one third of land released for new dwellings in the last few years has come from only three regions of France – Aquitaine, Pays de Loire and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. By inference, the report argues that other areas of the country are not pulling their weight in land planning.

Whilst the stance of SNAL is not surprising (and a widely shared view in France), the timing of the release of the study, when France is currently engaged on one of the biggest house building programmes in its history, may raise a few eyebrows.

You can read more about the planning system in France by reading our Guide to the French Planning System .