<b></b>Planning minister Lord Falconer has accused some local authorities of acting as a barrier to affordable housing. He was responding to new research which cited the failure to effectively use planning policies to deliver more affordable housing as a &amp;“lost opportunity&amp;”.<br><b>The research, <i>Delivering affordable housing through planning policy</i>, found significant differences in five English regions in getting more affordable homes as part of residential developments. </b><br><b>To help tackle the problem an Affordable Housing Unit has been launched which will work with councils, housing managers and the private sector to focus on quick solutions.</b><br><b>&amp;“Some councils are acting as a barrier to affordable housing, and this is not acceptable,&amp;” said Falconer. &amp;“The job of the unit is to bring all councils up to standard.&amp;”</b><br><b>Falconer has also backed London mayor Ken Livingstone&amp;’s 50% affordable housing target as long as there was a flexible approach to the issue.</b><br><b>* Two fully fitted homes which are designed to revolutionise the affordable housing market have been exhibited at this year&amp;’s Ideal Homes Show at London&amp;’s Earls Court. Affordable housing specialist LiveIn Quarters Ltd developed the modular homes which feature a number of innovative products for the sector.</b><br>