Conservative Party proposals to scrap the Future Homes Standard; introduce a new single developer levy; and abolish Natural England and the Environment Agency may help small builders deliver more homes but any future deregulation programme needs to be proportionate to ensure our new homes are fit for the future, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented: “The Future Homes Standard does need to work better for smaller house builders without becoming overly complex. However, if a future Conservative government revisits the standard, it must not give up on the ambition to build warmer, greener and more energy-efficient homes. The Shadow Chancellor should work with small builders to develop a practical approach based on good design and clear outcomes, giving firms the confidence to invest in the skills and methods needed to deliver it.”
Berry continued: “Cutting poorly developed regulation could help get Britain building, but deregulation must be proportionate as effective laws lead to improvements. Essential environmental protections and sensible solutions to improve homes cannot simply be swept away. A consequence may be fewer homes developed as opposition rises if provisions to keep local communities safe are scrapped. Previous ‘bonfires’ of regulation have shown that removing rules without a workable replacement can create uncertainty and risk weakening the standards that keep buildings safe. The test for any future government must be whether reform helps responsible local builders deliver more high-quality homes, not simply how many rules or bodies it abolishes.”
