Award-winning SME housebuilder Horgan Homes today warned the true test of the Government’s planning reforms will be how quickly the changes are implemented.
The proposals include streamlined planning for small sites, simplified biodiversity requirements, and greater access to land and finance for SME builders.
Sophie Horgan, director of Midland-based Horgan Homes, gave a cautious welcome to the announcements – but says the Government’s track record means timing might be an issue.
“These proposals are a welcome step in the right direction. But when you look at the devastating decline in small regional builders – from 12,000 in the late 1980s to fewer than 2,500 today – the Government needs to move faster than the current planning system does!”
Horgan Homes, which was named Best Small Housebuilder at the WhatHouse Awards in 2023, is known for its luxury bungalows and is currently on sites in Worcestershire and north east Lincolnshire.
“The streamlined planning for small sites and the new ‘medium site’ category should help address one of the biggest barriers we face – the planning process. The simpler BNG requirements will be particularly beneficial, as navigating these regulations has proven costly and time-consuming for smaller firms.
“But while these changes are promising, we need reforms implemented swiftly and effectively to stem this tide of thousands of SME builders going to the wall each year.”
Sophie also called on Government ministers to work closely with organisations such as the Kings Foundation, which is creating Regional Building Hubs to support SME builders in delivering communities which reflect local identity.
“As part of the I am a Housebuilder campaign through my work with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for SME Housebuilders, I’ve consistently called for policies that recognise the vital role we play in creating diverse, characterful homes. These proposals suggest the government is beginning to listen.
“The true test will be in the delivery. We need more than good intentions – we need a fundamental shift in how local and national government approach housebuilding, with SMEs recognised as essential partners in solving the housing crisis,” she concluded.
