Redbridge council has fallen way short of house-building targets, a report has revealed.

The joint analysis, by planning consultancy Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners and business group London First, claims only 18 out of 33 London authorities met annual housing targets between 2010 and 2013.

Redbridge council was the third worst in the capital, only managing to build 38.8 per cent of its target of houses.

This news comes after a cabinet reshuffle was announced yesterday, with Cllr Ross Hatfull replacing Cllr Muhammed Javed as the member for housing.

The worst performing council was Kensington and Chelsea, which only built 5.3 per cent of its target, while the best performing was Hillingdon, which built more than twice its quota.

The report, Carrots and Sticks, calls for the Mayor of London to be given new powers to determine all planning applications for 50 homes or more where boroughs fail to hit housing targets.

It also suggests a new financial reward called the London Housing Delivery Bonus to incentivise councils to meet targets.

The London Mayor’s annual target for new homes has recently increased from 32,000 homes a year to 42,000.

A Redbridge council statement released yesterday blamed the shortfall on the recession.

It said: “The council is working very hard to increase housing and is looking at a number of ways to encourage development in the borough.

“Like many other councils we suffered an impact on the development of housing due to conditions in the housing market brought about by the recession.

“Creating more homes, including affordable homes is a priority for us and we know that it’s important to building a sustainable future for the borough.

“We must find sites for new housing but at the same time make sure development is as balanced as possible. 

“The council is in the process of reviewing its Local Plan, which sets out areas for potential future development and ways the council can ensure it meets its housing targets. 

“Once agreed, this will help the council to shape and encourage future development in the borough.”