Simplifying planning with a new ‘medium’ sized definition for sites of ten to 49 homeswill enable SMEs to be major players in delivering 1.5m new homes, asserts the construction industry. A new government working paper on reforming site thresholds suggestssuch sites be exempt from the building safety levy and benefit from simpler biodiversity net gain rules. Deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner said smaller housebuilders were key to helping the government reach its target of 1.5m new homes [...]

Standardisinginfrastructure agreements and employing more planning officerswould speed updelivery of thousands of housing projects currently delayed, claims the Homebuilders Federation, HBF. A freedom of information request showed theaverage time to finalise S106 agreements,where developers contribute to new roads, affordable housing and schools, has increased by 20 per cent. In 2022-3 the average time was 425 days compared with 515 days in 2024-25 – adding 16months to the planning process. HBF chief executive Neil Jefferson said: “While these delays affect developments [...]

Small sites are important for local economies On the eve of the local elections for four new regional metro mayors the housebuilding industry is pressing the successful candidates to boost housing delivery. Ambitious targets for small sites needed Metro mayors should use their powers to buy land for housing Mayors should ensure colleges offer targeted skills in construction England’s four new metro mayorsare being urged to use new powers ahead of schedule to help address the housing crisis by the [...]

SME builders give thumbs up to Homes England’s small sites category   SME developers key for regional growth More SME housebuilders will apply to develop land managed by Homes England now that there is a small sites category, claims the building industry. New small sites category for 20-70 new homes Homes England hopes to attract more regional SME developers SME housebuilders key for local economic growth and jobs SME housebuilders are optimistic Homes England’s new small sites categoryfor schemes of 20 [...]

UK steel vital for the country’s green economy SMEs housebuilders are worried the current global tariff war will create economic uncertainty and damage the UK steel industry. UK steel vital for supporting the country’s low-carbon economy Raw materials for making steel could drop in price post US tariffs Steel is a crucial housebuilding product US tariffs create uncertainty for smaller builders in the UK The SME housebuilding industry is anxiously waiting to see what effectsUS import tariffs will have on [...]

BNG review urgently needed to help SMEs speed up housing delivery SMEs are optimistic proposed ‘rolling reforms’ to environmental regulation will lead to a review of biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality rules that are holding up housebuilding. 3,500 complex environmental regulations will be streamlined Continuous regulatory reform to be pursued A single planning portal for advice from all agencies SME builders back rolling reform of UK’s complex environmental regs Smaller developers hope ‘rolling regulatory reforms’proposed in a new government [...]

New levy on top of existing developer tax is unnecessary SME housebuilders are being encouraged to lobby their local MPs to support a campaign for the building safety levy to tax product manufacturers. Product manufacturers, especially those involved in the Grenfell Tower disaster, should pay Housebuilders constructing schemes of less than 50 homes should be exempt Levy will add between half to one per cent on the sale cost of a home Smaller housebuilders urged to lobby MPs to make [...]

Unclear how proposed changes will work The building industry has described reforms to planning as a step in the right direction but lack of dedicated small sites for development and planning fee increases still pose major challenges for SME housebuilders. Smaller sites should be included in local housing plans Statutory consultees scope to be curtailed Judicial reviews to be streamlined Planning reforms leave SME housebuilders out of the picture Builders won’t be getting ‘shovels in the ground quicker’ to build [...]

Commonhold set for mixed-use developments Housebuilders back plansfor commonhold ownership for new build flats claiming this will boost urban density by giving consumers confidence to buy such properties. Commonhold would ban leases giving residents outright ownership Mixed-use developments with offices or shops could be included Commonhold is widespread for apartments in Scotland, Europe and the US Housebuilders back ban on leaseholds for newly built flats Housebuilderssupportplansto ban leaseholdson new flats and mixed-use developmentsas they say it will help the government [...]