Millions in Tory donations at risk as property developers hit back

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Property developers that have donated millions of pounds to the Conservative Party are “on strike” amid claims the party is blocking new house building. A Tory source told The Times: “I think you might struggle to name a developer who is currently donating.” It comes as the Home Builders Federation claims housebuilding in England is set to fall to the lowest level since the second world war. A party spokesman said: "We have had a very healthy first half of the year for donations.” Labour is hoping to capitalise on the government’s record on housebuilding and has set out plans to give local officials sweeping new powers to buy land cheaply and develop on it. It will let officials buy land under compulsory purchase orders without having to factor in the “hope value” – a massive price premium granted to any land on which developers hope to secure planning permission.