In our latest podcast episode, we dive into the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) developers in meeting the UK Government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament term.
Hosted by Ben Wakeling with special guest Paul Brocklehurst, Chairman for the Land, Planning and Development Federation (LPDF), they share insights from their careers and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing SME builders today.
To set the scene, we define what constitutes an SME developer. Typically, these are firms building fewer than 100 homes per year, often locally rooted and agile, but facing unique constraints compared to larger housebuilders.
SMEs are vital to diversifying housing supply, revitalising local economies, and unlocking small sites that larger developers often overlook. We explore how their contribution is essential to achieving the Government’s 1.5 million homes target, and what success might look like for SMEs by the end of this Parliament.
Our discussion then turns to the barriers SMEs face:
We acknowledge and delve into recent policy changes aimed at supporting SMEs, including:
Both Ben and Paul share their views on whether these initiatives will make a meaningful difference.
Finally, we explore what else could help SMEs not only survive but thrive:
🎧 Listen Now!
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in housing policy, urban development, or the future of SME builders in the UK. Whether you’re a developer, policymaker, or housing advocate, you’ll find plenty of food for thought.
Stay tuned for future podcast episodes!
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