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

Breaking News

England tightens planning rules to save local pubs

Turning pubs into housing or offices will be made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in England. Under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), anyone seeking to change the use of a beloved local venue must now provide strict proof that the business cannot survive, including evidence that it has been…
Read More
Breaking News

UK modern method auction house sales up nearly 15%

UK house sales via modern method auctions increase nearly 15% year-on-year New data from leading estate and lettings agency network shows growing appetite for modern method auctions, with completion times 43% quicker on average versus traditional methods Modern method auction (MMoA) sales are gaining ground in the UK housing market. New data from Lomond, the UK’s leading network of lettings and sales…
Read More
Breaking News

London’s garden squares commanding huge market premiums

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that homes surrounding some of Prime London’s most prestigious garden squares continue to command huge values even in cooler market conditions, with buyers paying property premiums as high as 175% compared to the wider borough. Wilton Crescent Garden, located on the…
Read More
Breaking News

Full Steam Ahead to Fast-Track More Homes Near Stations

Thousands of quality homes to be built closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping families live closer to work, school and transport New planning rules will fast-track building quality homes near transport hubs in England Part of the biggest rewrite of planning rules in over a decade to build homes faster, drive good growth, unlock investment, jobs and education opportunities   Thousands of new homes will be built around England’s train, tram and underground stations under new planning…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 17/8/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   New regional property roadshow to generate conversations with vendors, buyers and homeowners   Fine & Country West Wales, in partnership with Homes of Wales, is launching a new regional property roadshow designed to generate conversations with vendors, buyers and homeowners whose moving plans have…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Largest August price drop since 2018 despite mini Burnham bounce in demand

Average newly-listed asking prices drop by 2.0% (-£7,360) this month to £364,999, a much larger than usual August drop: Many summer sellers slash their price expectations in reaction to the quieter holiday period and 12-year high number of homes for sale at this time of year Average prices are now 1.0% lower than a year…
Read More