APPG for SME builders report highlights best builders

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for SME House Builders has released its report, ‘Ways to improve the planning system in the UK’, which identifies many of the barriers small and medium sized housebuilders (SMEs) face when entering, engaging with and navigating the planning system.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “This reports, which the NFB’s, House Builders Association HBA inputted into, doesn’t just look at speeding up planning but why consistent, certain planning is good for builders, communities, councils and planners.

It highlights the reality that SME builders are an undervalued part of the housing supply chain and must be properly enabled to solve the housing crisis.”

The report, which is sponsored by Aldermore Bank, asks sixteen questions on a range of topics, containing:
• Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments
• Planning reform
• Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
• Sustainability
• Disadvantages of SMEs
• Recommendations

Concluding with seventeen recommendations, including the HBA’s long proposed small sites register, the report takes a balanced approach to understanding the barriers SME builders face and why the entire housing supply chain, from planner and policy maker, to builder and resident, will benefit if we can solve the major barriers that face in the planning system.

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning for the HBA, said: “In the last five years, the Government has listened to SMEs but national policy reform, such as the housing white paper has not always delivered better outcomes at the local level. This APPG report highlights this and does a fantastic job in producing recommendations which can ensure more of our best builders and local employers can win work and solve our housing crisis.

I would like to pay special thanks to APPG chair, Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South and secretariat, Andrew Cumpsty, who put together this report and took the time to listen and take seriously the challenges our industry and HBA members experience on a daily basis.”

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Mortgage overpayments in a confident market

Financial experts are encouraging homeowners and first-time buyers to take a fresh look at mortgage overpayments as confidence builds in the UK property market and interest rates begin to ease. With major lenders cutting rates, improved loan-to-value options for buyers, and growing optimism in the 2026 market, mortgage overpayments are emerging as a powerful and…
Read More
Breaking News

House price growth remained subdued in August

UK annual house price growth remained broadly stable in August at 1.6% House prices were up 0.2% month on month Headlines Aug-26 Jul-26‡ Monthly Index* 550.1 549.1 Monthly Change* 0.2% -0.1% Annual Change 1.6% 1.4% Average Price (not seasonally adjusted) £275,465 £276,581 * Seasonally adjusted figure (note that monthly % changes are revised when seasonal…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

What Adds Three Weeks to Leasehold Conveyancing?

As government reforms target a four-week reduction in homebuying times, Konnect You analysis points to management packs, extra lease enquiries, third-party responses and title issues as recurring leasehold bottlenecks. The government is targeting a reduction of around four weeks in the homebuying process through reforms published in June 2026. Its roadmap proposes more property information upfront and recognises that leaseholders can face delays…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England Money and Credit Report July 2026

Overview These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals decreased to £4.3 billion in July, from £7.7 billion…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 1/9/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   infinitSpace to be new operating partner providing technology and operational infrastructure The Stack, Amsterdam’s new home for AI founders and builders, has selected infinitSpace as its Workspace Operating Partner ahead of its opening in September. The partnership will provide the technology and operational infrastructure behind The…
Read More
Breaking News

Why Living Near London’s Top Schools Costs a Fortune

Homes near London’s top private schools command premiums of up to 77%   The latest research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that homes located close to some of the capital’s highest-ranking private schools command substantial premiums, with property values sitting as much as 77% above the wider local authority average.…
Read More