Reversing the decline of small housebuilders

9
• Creating a duty to properly test actual delivery
from allocated sites and plan for additional
allocations where supply falls short (ongoing
trajectory planning): Too few local plans are
effectively monitored to assess delivery on an ongoing
basis. Doing so on an annual basis will identify early
on where areas of concern are and allow suitable sites
(likely to be small in scale) to come forward to help
plug delivery gaps.
• Changing the classification of garden land:
The change in classification in 2010 of garden land
to greenfield was based on oversimplified analysis
and political motivations. The change in approach
removed a source of land for small builders many of
whom had been adept at developing sustainable and
low density schemes on previously under-utilised land.
The introduction of the NPPF allows for such sites to
be considered in a more holistic way taking account of
sound planning principles without a specific direction
rooted in dogma.
• A new phased planning application fee schedule:
The lack of resources within Local Authority planning
departments is a concern to housebuilders of all
sizes but its effects are particularly harmful for SMEs.
A phased fee structure for planning applications
which, in total, would see revenues for LPAs increase
could be introduced which would incentivise good
performance and timely decision-making and
discharge of conditions.
• A ‘Help to Plan’ scheme for micro builders and
start-ups: Direct support for fledgling businesses
should be available to provide technical and planning
services for those starting out.