Local authorities must become more hands-on in developing residential schemes if they are to hit government housebuilding targets, according to one of the private sector’s leading developers.

Speaking as the government announced £600m of infrastructure funding for five new developments in England – two of which are being managed by local councils – Stephen Teagle, Galliford Try Partnerships’ chief executive, said local authorities were “fundamental” to achieving ministers’ targets of 300,000 new homes being built every year.

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