Making the planning process more efficient should be the top priority

September 14, 2018

The NFB welcomes the announcement of new funding but remains concerned that the Government’s efforts to solve the housing crisis have moved away from making the planning process more efficient.

Housing Secretary James Brokenshire MP has announced a new partnership between Homes England and Barclays Bank to provide £1 billion of loan finance to help support small and medium sized (SME) developers get access to the finance they need to get housing developments off the ground.

Aimed at speeding up delivery, the fund is open to developers borrowing between £5million and £10million, building 10 homes or more, with a previous track record and a majority control of the development site.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomes the announcement of new funding but remains concerned that the Government’s efforts to solve the housing crisis have moved away from making the planning process more efficient.

Planning remains the greatest barrier for SMEs and regional contractors looking to grow local communities and deliver more homes. The fund may hence struggle to make a difference because developers cannot access the fund unless they already have planning permission in place.

The schemes requirements may also struggle to attract new entrants into the market, because it is more appropriate for medium sized developers and those building in high value regions.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “There is an industry demand for funding, but the majority of builders need an efficient planning process. The Government missed its opportunity to do that through the NPPF review and should be investing in mechanisms that assist underfunded planning departments such as the Planning Deliver Fund. Due to the scheme’s requirements on developments’ size, SME developers may not actually be eligible for the fund.”

“With the fund only open to developments above the national threshold for affordable housing contributions, it will still directly increase the supply of affordable houses.”

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

The pros and cons of renting to students: is it the right choice for you?

Student properties are no different in term of quality and facilities than any other type of private rental. And although landlords may have to spend a fair amount on setting up and properly maintaining student lets, they can also charge a good market rent. To help you decide whether letting to students might be worthwhile…
Read More →
Finance

Autumn Budget Misses Mark on Housing Reform: UK Rental Market Squeezed by Shortages and Rising Rents

The UK rental market faces mounting pressures, with a recent Rics survey revealing a critical shortage of properties and surging rent prices. Landlord instructions, a key indicator of properties available to rent, fell to a net balance of -29%, marking this the lowest level since 2021. Strong tenant demand is driving rents higher, with 33%…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Save a house deposit faster than ever in THESE areas!

Save a house deposit faster than ever in THESE areas! Aberdeen City in Scotland is named the best place to live if you want to save for a house deposit fast, saving in as little as a year and a half Inverclyde is second, whilst Burnley is third Average salaries and house prices in each…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Finding Your Dream Home: Expert Advice from Camberley’s Top Estate Agents

Finding the right estate agent is crucial when navigating the competitive housing market in Camberley. With local expertise and in-depth market knowledge, these professionals can guide you toward your ideal property, saving you time and effort. Their understanding of the area’s nuances, from property trends to community relationships, positions them as indispensable allies in your…
Read More →
Breaking News

Zoopla reveals most affordable towns in Britain

With the average home valued at nearly four times average household incomes, Zoopla reveals the most affordable towns in Britain   An average property in Britain is valued at 3.8 times the average annual household income (assuming 2 full-time workers) Cumnock in Scotland, is Britain’s most affordable town to buy in 2024 with average property…
Read More →
Software & Tech

The Evolving Nature of Real Estate and Strategies for Agency Success

Real estate agents are used to working with fluid market dynamics. Adapting their sales strategies and responding to new industry demands is almost second nature to most agencies today. However, while making the necessary adjustments when following housing market trends is important, it’s also important for agencies to consider new business innovations that become available…
Read More →