12 INDUSTRY NEWS
SME builders “frustrated” with planning delays
Delays and rising costs in the planning system are driving small companies away from housebuilding and slowing down attempts to tackle Britain’s housing crisis, according to the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC). New research from the NHBC
Foundation revealed that small builders are experiencing “deeply frustrating” delays, with a third waiting more than a year for local authority planning approval and nearly 80 per cent experiencing a significant hike in planning related fees in the last two years. The NHBC report, ‘Small house builders
and developers: current challenges to growth’, outlines the climate faced by small firms, using the experiences of almost 500 companies who typically construct less than 10 homes a year. Figures showed that the number of small
firms active in housebuilding continues to decline, accounting for just 12 per cent of market share in 2015, compared with 28 per cent in 2008. Earlier this year, the Government
pledged “radical, lasting reform” to tackle Britain’s housing shortage, including accelerating the planning system by making it more accessible and increasing its support for small and more innovative builders. Commenting on the report, Neil Smith,
NHBC head of research and innovation, said: “While the planning process is recognised as a necessary control, small housebuilders and developers continue to express considerable frustration with it. “The increasing complexity, time taken
to achieve a decision, and the unpredictability and inconsistency within the planning process are slowing the delivery of new homes and, in some cases, causing companies to leave this market.” According to Smith: “Greater certainty
and more standardised approaches, clarity concerning the fees and tariffs, along with a more responsive service from planning departments could increase predictability and significantly help to speed up the process, thereby increasing the number of homes built.” The report found that the lack of viable
building land was another major barrier for small housebuilders, with 37 per cent
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LendInvest has joined the Home Builders Federation (HBF), intending to underline the company’s commitment to supporting property developers. Ian Thomas, chief investment officer at
LendInvest, said: “The HBF is recognised as the voice of the home building industry and becoming a member will help us to support the growth of SME builders in every region of the UK. “There’s no silver bullet to solve the
housing crisis, but by forging links of this kind we hope to drive momentum behind industry initiatives to increase sector skills, enhance the voice of the property sector and ultimately put more homes on British streets.” John Slaughter, director of external affairs
at the HBF, commented on the undersupply of homes in the UK, saying: “it will take partnership between all parts of the home building industry to deliver the homes the country needs.” “For this reason,” he continued, “we are
delighted to welcome LendInvest as an associate member of the HBF and look forward to their continued contribution in supporting small housebuilders to scale.” The HBF is representative body of the
private sector housebuilding industry in England and Wales, and its members are responsible for 80 per cent of housing output each year. The organisation currently supports the
LendInvest Property Development Academy, a non-profit, two-day course delivered in five key cities across the UK and intended to create a new generation of property entrepreneurs.
identifying it as their most serious obstacle for growth. Housebuilders also raised concerns
about a shortage of skilled workers and a lack of interest among young people in becoming apprentices.
LendInvest joins the HBF
UK’s largest 3D printed master plan model unveiled
A 3D printed model of Barking Riverside has been unveiled, reportedly the largest model of its kind in the UK. Created by 3D technology specialists,
Hobs Studio, the model measures 3.6m x 2.6m x 1m, and incorporates over 1,000 buildings at a scale of 1:750. A third of the surface of the model shows the River Thames. Matthew Carpen, project director for
Barking Riverside Limited, said the company was “pleased to be championing the use of this technology for the industry.” Produced over a four and a half week
period, the model has been printed on what is thought to be the largest SLA 3D printer in the UK. The iPro 9000 XL has a build size of 1500 mm x 750 mm x 550 mm. Using approximately 35 litres of resin,
the model has been printed through a process known as stereolithography (SLA). Michelle Greeff, MD of Hobs Studio,
commented on the technology: “3D print- ing allows the production of models to run considerably faster, while also creating a more accurate and detailed result.” “It’s not just the printing that is a
complex process,” he added, “post production is also key, with our specialist team adding in the final details to ensure that the model really captures the essence of Barking Riverside.” Barking Riverside, one of Europe’s
largest Brownfield developments, is set to deliver over 10,800 new homes in East London.
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