Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said:
"The nation's small housebuilders need to regain a foothold in the housing market, and the Government planning reforms are a positive push in the right direction to enable this to happen. For medium planning sites the reforms will help SMEs grow their businesses. Getting to the ambitious 1.5million new homes target will require a joint push from the entire housing sector to achieve it and diversification of the housing market will be essential to ensure this happens."
Berry continued:
"While the announced improvements help, smaller developers need well-staffed and dynamic planning teams, achieved through a boost in staff numbers or the use of innovative technology to support the process. Technical changes to planning will only ever go so far before funding becomes the main barrier which stalls sign offs. This is something the Treasury needs to understand and inject more cash to overcome a crumbling planning system."
Notes to editors
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to help them succeed. The FMB is committed to raising quality in the construction industry and offers a free Find a Builder service to consumers.
