Sarah Edwards, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for SME Housebuilders, warmly welcomes the government’s newly published proposed amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, describing them as a “clear signal that ministers are listening to the needs of SME developers and their trade bodies.”
The APPG says that the changes, which reflect key priorities previously raised by itself, the Home Builders Federation, the Federation of Master Builders and the Regional & Bespoke Developers Forum, mark a positive step toward a planning system that is truly fit for purpose and capable of unlocking the full potential of small and medium-sized housebuilders across the UK.
Sarah Edwards MP, chair of the APPG for SME Housebuilders, said: “Today’s amendments show real intent from government to level the playing field. We are pleased to see our calls – and those of the industry – being taken seriously. SME builders are absolutely vital to meeting our housing needs, but for too long they’ve been held back by a system skewed in favour of volume developers.”
“The APPG has worked hard to ensure SME voices are heard at the highest levels, and we are proud to have helped carry that feedback from site offices to the doors of No. 11 and the Ministry. But this is only the beginning, we need to go further to help unlock local land parcels and to boost skills and training. We look forward to continuing a constructive dialogue with ministers to ensure the final legislation delivers meaningful, lasting change.”
These proposed reforms represent significant progress in creating a more supportive, flexible environment for SMEs by:
- Accelerating infrastructure delivery: Faster delivery of roads, utilities, and public transport—often essential to unlocking SME-led housing sites—will help bring homes forward more quickly.
- Reducing planning delays and costs: By scrapping outdated statutory consultation rules, SMEs can avoid costly delays and burdensome processes that disproportionately impact smaller developers. Together with plans to ring-fence planning fees at the local council level, long argued for by the sector, will make a real difference.
- Enabling dynamic local engagement: New guidance will empower developers to respond to community feedback without restarting the planning process—encouraging practical, locally sensitive solutions.
- Boosting pipeline certainty: More efficient infrastructure delivery supports long-term planning and investment for SME firms, giving them the confidence to grow.
The APPG says that the changes show that ministers are listening to SME builders and taking their concerns seriously—something that it has repeatedly championed.
Edwin de Silva, APPG secretariat and founder of the Regional & Bespoke Developers Forum, added: “This is a welcome moment for SME developers who’ve kept building through some of the toughest market conditions in decades. The proposed amendments represent a key step forward – recognition that SMEs are not only resilient but essential to hitting the UK’s housing targets.”
“The survey results from the R&B Developers Forum, alongside feedback from other trade bodies, have provided invaluable, real-time insight into SME sentiment – insights that helped shape this legislative progress. But we must keep pushing for reform that gives SMEs real access to land, finance, and opportunity.”
Edwin De Silva emphasised that unlocking SME potential could double their housing output in the next two to three years. With the right framework, SMEs could contribute 60,000 homes annually – playing a transformative role in delivering the government’s 1.5 million homes ambition.
Sarah Edwards reaffirmed the APPG’s commitment to bridging the gap between SME developers and policymakers, creating space for collaboration, innovation, skills and sustainable growth across the UK’s housing sector.
The APPG for SME Housebuilders is a cross-party forum within Parliament comprising various members of the UK’s SME housebuilding community and is supported by Close Brothers Property Finance. The APPG for SME Housebuilders has regular meetings within Parliament or online to discuss latest developments in the residential property sector, as well as producing regular reports to help improve the regulatory environment to benefit SME Housebuilders in the UK.
Phil Hooper, CEO of Close Brothers Property Finance, commented: “Finally, we have the impetus for real change. These proposed amendments will create a more equitable playing field and enable SME housebuilders to play a bigger role in meeting the government’s housing targets.”
“SMEs are disproportionately impacted by delays in the planning system, which too often bring housing developments to a total standstill. Eliminating statutory consultation rules and permitting housebuilders to engage with local communities without having to restart the planning process will go a long way towards speeding up housing delivery.”
“We also welcome the government’s plans for accelerating vital infrastructure, which will be key to unlocking the smaller development sites suited to SMEs.”
“The system for too long has favoured PLC housebuilders at the expense of SMEs. It’s refreshing to have a government in power that takes the concerns of SME housebuilders seriously and which is committed to enacting meaningful legislative change to help unlock their potential.”
Source: Showhouse
