Weekly planning news
Planning news - 5 September 2024
Government launch New Homes Accelerator
On August 29 government announced the launch of their New Homes Accelerator scheme1, a new flexible support initiative designed to speed up the delivery of large-scale housing projects.
As part of this effort, local authorities and developers are called on to provide information on developments with over 1,500 units that are currently delayed. This data will help assess the scale of the problem and identify the most effective solutions to accelerate construction.
The scheme aims to expedite the construction of large-scale housing developments that have stalled due to various challenges. It represents a collaborative effort from critical stakeholders across the built environment. The primary goal is to ‘unblock’ housing developments that have been delayed, and uncover the underlying causes of delay, ensuring that these projects can move forward without further hindrance.
TerraQuest’s Market Index Report, released earlier this summer, revealed that more than one-third of homes with planning permission since 2015 have yet to be built. At the time Geoff Keal, CEO of TerraQuest, commented on the findings, stressing the importance of not only reforming the planning system but also addressing the broader issues that have stalled the construction of new homes.
TerraQuest, along with Planning Portal, has welcomed the government’s proactive approach to tackling the delays in housebuilding. Our research has shown that slow buildout rates are a widespread issue, and they fully support this initiative to identify and resolve the causes of these delays. The hope is that these efforts will put the country back on track to deliver the housing projects essential for alleviating the national housing crisis.
For those interested in staying informed on the latest developments in the built environment, you can subscriber to our monthly market insight report here. Additionally, TerraQuest provide a range of support services tailored to assist local planning authorities dealing with capacity-related backlogs and delays. Visit our website for more information.2
New microsite for Higher-Risk Building Control approval
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has launched a new Building Control Authority microsite3 to help streamline approval process for higher-risk building applications. Now live, the site serves as a comprehensive resource for developers, architects, and industry professionals offering up-to-date information, FAQs, and guidance related to the higher-risk building regime.
Since October 2023, the BSR has been responsible for overseeing building control for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England, taking over from local authorities and private sector bodies. This shift has placed the BSR at the centre of ensuring that all new building work within the higher-risk category meets strict safety standards.
The newly launched microsite is designed to help the industry navigate the complex application process that HRBs require for building control approval. The BSR emphasises the need for high-quality, detailed applications that clearly demonstrate compliance with building regulations. Well-prepared submissions enable quicker and more accurate decision-making, minimising the risk of delays or rejections.
To assist industry professionals, the microsite includes a downloadable FAQ guide that addresses common questions about the higher-risk building regime and the BSR’s expectations. The guide offers specific advice for different types of projects, including smaller refurbishments, hospital works, and multi-building developments.
At Planning Portal, we fully support this emphasis on quality, as our mission is to facilitate the submission of the highest quality applications, ultimately saving the industry valuable time. For building projects that fall outside the higher-risk category, Planning Portal is the go-to platform for submitting planning and building control applications4.
FMB survey reveals positive trends and challenges
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Q2 2024 State of Trade Survey reveals encouraging signs of stability and growth in the construction industry. Workloads have seen a slight increase, indicating a positive shift compared to the more challenging market conditions of late 2023. This growth suggests that the industry is gradually gaining momentum, offering hope for continued improvement.
However, despite these positive trends, the industry continues to face notable challenges. Recruitment remains a significant issue, with many FMB members struggling to hire skilled tradespeople, particularly carpenters and bricklayers. This shortage has led to delays in project completion, impacting nearly half of the surveyed businesses.
Material costs, while slightly lower than in Q1 2024, continue to rise, contributing to increased operational expenses. As a result, 67% of members have had to raise their prices, but even so, over half report that they are on track to fall below expected profit margins.
Brian Berry, FMB’s chief executive, acknowledges the progress while emphasising the need for further improvement. The new government's plans to boost housebuilding and reform the planning system are promising, but the current construction skills crisis poses a significant challenge to achieving these ambitions.
You can read the report and find out more on FMB’s website.5
Angela Rayner calls for quicker safety improvements to buildings
According to a press release published on the government website on 29 August6, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Building Safety Minister, Rushanara Ali, have called for accelerated efforts to address unsafe buildings across the UK, emphasising the need for immediate action in the wake of a recent fire in Dagenham. This was made clear during a roundtable discussion held on 28 August, which brought together key regulators and partners.
The meeting included prominent figures such as West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Paul Dennett, and Deputy Mayor of London Jules Pipe. Representatives from the London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Local Government Association and the Building Safety Regulator were also in attendance.
Angela Rayner underscored the urgency of the situation, pointing to the tragic fire at the Spectrum Building in Dagenham as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe cladding. “Speeding up the remediation of buildings is absolutely critical,” Rayner stated. “Seven years on from Grenfell, action has been far too slow, and the fire in Dagenham is a horrific reminder of the risk unsafe cladding still poses to far too many people.”
Rayner made it clear that the government expects more decisive action from regulators and partners to ensure the safety of residents. She emphasised that the focus must be on not only speeding up the remediation process but also ensuring that buildings currently undergoing remediation are managed safely.
Building Safety Minister Rushanara Ali echoed Rayner's sentiments, praising the bravery of the firefighters who responded to the Dagenham fire and the support provided by Barking and Dagenham Council. “It is absolutely essential that central and local government, regulators, and partners come together, as we have today, to drive fast and effective change to get buildings fixed, made safe, and ensure residents are protected,” Ali said.
You can read the full press release on the government website.7
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-homes-accelerator-programme
- https://www.terraquest.co.uk/products-services/planning-application-support
- https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/the-building-control-authority/
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/building-control-portal
- https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/state-of-trade-survey-q2-2024.html
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fixing-unsafe-buildings-must-be-faster-deputy-prime-minister-tells-roundtable-of-regulators-and-partners
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fixing-unsafe-buildings-must-be-faster-deputy-prime-minister-tells-roundtable-of-regulators-and-partners
