8 INDUSTRY NEWS
Planning delays ‘threaten the demise' of SME builders
More than nine out of 10 smaller housebuilders have said planning is the biggest obstacle to increasing their housing delivery, according to a recent survey from the Homebuilders Federation (HBF).
The survey revealed that its respondents expect planning delays to get worse in 2022 in many parts of the UK due to polit- ical turmoil, namely because of local elections for all London boroughs and Scottish and Welsh authorities in May. Respondents also said the planning process had deteriorated over the last year, leaving them disadvantaged compared with larger builders who could absorb long wait costs. Nine out of 10 said local authorities had insufficient staff and resources to offer an efficient service.
SME builders said planning authorities favoured bigger housebuilders, as larger schemes made it easier for housing delivery targets to be met. Material supplies and costs were quoted as the next biggest barrier to housing delivery. More than three-quarters (78%) of the 100 SME builders who took part in the online survey cited this as a problem compared with just 20% in the previous year's survey. Although some respondents said the increases could be absorbed by raising house prices, most claimed this wasn’t possible, as building materials were running out before houses could be completed.
Labour shortages and costs were also an issue with 59% saying this was a problem compared with 19% a year ago. However, nearly 60% were employing apprentices compared with 33% a year ago. The survey said this showed SMEs were continuing to employ a disproportionately higher number of trainees than their national counterparts. Land supply was also a significant challenge for just under half of respon- dents, with 47% citing it as a problem. They commented that more desirable places to live had experienced price inflation allowing bigger organisations to acquire sites rather than SMEs. Ecological issues and reducing nitrate levels in rivers had also constricted supply with Natural England and some councils imposing planning moratoriums.
Interim FHS targets to be mandatory from June 2022
Parliament has voted into law changes to Building Regulations, which from June
2022 will require CO2 emissions from new build homes to be reduced by 31% against current standards, and introduce a new Approved Document O covering overheating.
This is an interim measure towards the Government’s Future Homes Standard 2025, and the overall net zero carbon target in 2050. In addition, regulation changes mean emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be reduced by 27%. Under the new Part O, all new residential buildings, including homes, care homes, student accommodation and children’s homes must reduce overheat- ing, making sure they are “fit for the future and protect the most vulnerable people,” said the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). Improvements to ventilation under Part F will also be introduced to “support the safety of residents in newly-built homes and to prevent the spread of airborne viruses in new non-residential buildings.” The changes announced follow a public consultation and will come into effect from June 2022. They “pave the way for the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025, which will mean all future homes are net zero ready and will not need retrofitting,” said DLUHC. Housing Minister Eddie Hughes commented: “The Government is doing everything it can to deliver net zero,
and slashing CO2 emissions from homes and buildings is vital to achieving this commitment.
“The changes will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the buildings where we live, work and spend our free time and are an important step on our country’s journey towards a cleaner, greener built environment.”
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