18 THE INDUSTRY ADVOCATE
DID THE QUEEN’S SPEECH DELIVER?
Brian Berry
Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), discusses his views on the recent Queen’s Speech, and how it compared with industry expectations.
M
y previous two columns have touched on my hopes for a reformed planning process to help out small and micro housebuilders stuck with a burdensome planning system. I had hoped to see this in the Queen’s Speech, but the Government delivered something quite different. We got the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill, which fi rmly puts the public in the driving seat. It’s clear that this step down from a
fully-fl edged planning bill was to realign the narrative of levelling up and appeal to Conservative voters in their traditional heartlands. But does it help small local builders who, as I’ve discussed many times before, are a vital piece in the levelling up puzzle?
LEVELLING-UP AND REGENERATION BILL The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill might turn out to be a disappointing step change in the direction of the Government. We had expected a fully-fl edged planning bill which could have simplifi ed the planning process for micro and SME builders who currently face delays, with 61% of our members citing planning as a barrier to delivering homes.
The move to digitise the planning process is welcome, which I hope will bring about clarity on development status for builders and residents alike. Moves to make who owns land more transparent will also help small developers. It could be that more local engagement, when harnessed correctly will help housebuilders. It could allow for fast tracked planning permission for certain projects identifi ed by the residents of a street, through so-called ‘street votes’ which will boost the density of current housing stock and potentially deliver more homes. But we await detail on what these votes will truly mean. Greatly increased community engagement, focussing on design, material and layout does, however, have the potential to slow down and disrupt the viability of new homes – developments are complex. SME housebuilders already sit at the heart of their communities,
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delivering projects refl ective of their local areas. Putting local communities in a commanding position when it comes to laying out local plans could be troublesome. We’ve all been to town hall type meetings and observed the tendency for the loudest voice to win out over that of the moderate ones. FMB members already play an active role in engaging local residents, as they are often building in their own communities. Micro and SME builders deliver high-quality homes, refl ective of their local areas. They use local tradespeople and train up local school leavers; they are central to their communities and any move to add delays to an already burdensome planning process puts a declining sector at further risk.
I would hope to see SMEs properly factored into new government plans, and I welcome previous constructive engagement I’ve been able to have with the Chief Planner. I completely understand, indeed I’m enthused,
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