The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has presented a series of recommendations for the incoming new government in its latest manifesto, ‘Building a Better Britain’.
The institution has argued that fresh impetus from the next government is needed in support of the building industry to speed up the delivery of quality new homes of all types and tenures, and to implement an effective programme of energy efficient retrofit to existing housing stock.
BMF proposals include greater support for SME house-builders, the deployment of AI to speed up uncontentious planning applications, and legislation to amend the nutrient neutrality rule, which has, to date, delayed starts on 160,000 new homes.
The BMF also wants ministers to adopt the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) National Retrofit Strategy, with sufficient funding to support a long-term nationwide programme of home insulation to upgrade the energy and thermal performance of millions of existing homes.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Housing must be at the forefront of the next government’s plans and the BMF’s manifesto sets out credible, long-term proposals for the expansion and improvement of the country’s housing stock.
“Meeting the annual current target of 300,000 new homes means building the homes that people need, in places they want to live. This not only requires a mix of private development, new council houses and affordable and social housing, but also the involvement of smaller firms building homes suited to their local areas.
“The availability of affordable finance will help encourage SME housebuilders back into the market, as will the adoption of planning measures such as ‘permission in principle’ to help de-risk smaller projects.”
He added: “Coupled with this, there is an urgent need to upgrade much of the UK’s existing housing stock, which will also create new skilled jobs and boost economic growth.
“The CLC’s National Retrofit Strategy sets out the vision for a long-term programme. But its success will only be achieved with fresh political determination, backed by sufficient public and private funding, along with unflinching efforts by local government and other delivery partners to plan, execute and complete the programme of work.”
