Persimmon boss: UK faces homes shortage unless planning rules change

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Mike Farley said: "If we're to increase the volume of available homes, we need change. It's still very difficult to obtain planning permission.

"That's why we have such a long landbank, with more than six years' supply of land. Whoever is in power, we'd like to see planning process improvements soon."

There are signs of a sustained recovery in the housing market.

Persimmon, Britain's biggest quoted housebuilder, posted a pre-tax profit of £77.8 million for 2009, after plunging to a £780 million loss when the housing crisis struck the previous year.

It completed on 12% fewer homes in 2009, but the bottom line was boosted by a £74.8 million "write up", after the builder said its 60,454 plots had risen in value.

Farley said sales so far this year were 8% higher than in 2009.

"We're seeing a good level of interest, and are planning to build on 90 new sites in the first half of this year — the same number we worked on in the whole of 2009."

But he added: "It is too early to make a precise forecast about the housing market, particularly in an election year. We will remain cautious in our investment decisions."