Big News for Small Builders

Smaller house builders are set to benefit from a major planning shake-up designed to speed up delivery, cut costs, and unlock finance. Deputy PM Angela Rayner has unveiled a wide-ranging package to support SME developers — recognising their key role in tackling the UK’s housing crisis.

What’s Changing?

Reduced Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for smaller schemes — ending the one-size-fits-all 10% uplift, Fast-tracked planning for developments of up to 9 homes, handled by officers with lighter BNG rules, New 10–49 home category exempt from the Building Safety Levy and with simplified environmental rules 

Land releases from Homes England dedicated to small builders, £100m SME Accelerator Loan Scheme to unlock stalled small sites, New Housing Delivery Fund offering long-term finance, including revolving credit ,Small Sites Aggregator pilot in Bristol, Sheffield & Lewisham to bring unused plots into social housing use 

Planning committee reform — minor applications won’t be delayed by unnecessary debate £10m for councils to fast-track environmental assessments , £1.2m PropTech fund to help SMEs assess land potential with digital tools

 “Smaller house builders must be the bedrock of our Plan for Change to build 1.5 million homes,” said Rayner. “It’s time to level the playing field.”

The Government claims this overhaul could help deliver the highest housebuilding levels in 40 years — with a projected £6.8bn economic boost by 2030.

What do you think? Will this revive SME-led development? Drop your thoughts below 👇 or share with someone building homes from the ground up.