Join us every month when we'll be taking a look at the UK housing headlines making the rounds. Breaking down the key information and giving you our thoughts!
Faster Planning Decisions for smaller housing developers in bid to "get Britain building"
The UK government has announced reforms to boost housebuilding by supporting smaller developers, aiming to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029–30. Key proposals include streamlining planning by shifting decisions on small developments (up to nine homes) from councillors to trained planning officers, cutting bureaucracy and delays. Developments of 10–49 homes will receive reduced costs, simplified environmental rules, and exemptions from the building safety levy.
To further aid smaller firms, the government is offering £100 million in accelerator loans, launching a National Housing Delivery Fund, and releasing more land via Homes England. A new consultation proposes categorising planning applications into those handled by officers (Tier A) and those requiring committee review (Tier B).
However, conservation groups warn that relaxing biodiversity net gain rules could undermine environmental protections. Critics argue this risks widespread nature loss, weakening efforts to ensure development benefits both people and the environment.
Additional measures include £10 million for local councils to hire specialists and £1.2 million in PropTech innovation funding. Pilot schemes in Bristol, Sheffield, and Lewisham aim to unlock difficult-to-develop small sites.
The Conservative Party has welcomed support for SMEs but criticized Labour’s broader approach, raising concerns about planning oversight, green belt development, and immigration-driven housing demand.
Lumensol Says: "From a repairs and maintenance and commercial perspective, if more small and mid-sized developments are approved and built, demand for those services is likely to grow.
At the same time, if environmental and building quality standards are relaxed, this could lead to an increase in long-term maintenence risks and liabilities for housing providers and contractors."
Usman Ejaz, Head of Commercial
New Figures show thousands more homes delivered across the UK as Homes England exceeds targets
Homes England has exceeded its 2024/25 government-set targets for housing delivery, including the number of homes started, completed, and potential homes unlocked. Over 36,000 homes were completed (a 14% increase from 2023/24), 38,000 homes began construction (up 6%), and land for 79,000 future homes was unlocked. This supports the government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes during this parliament.
The Agency collaborated with local and national partners to drive regeneration and housing projects across the UK. Initiatives include land acquisition, regional partnerships, and support for local authorities. Homes England is on track to fully utilise the 2021–26 Affordable Homes Programme, helping deliver affordable and sustainable housing projects like Union Village in Middlesbrough.
Further investment has been enabled through collaborations with private and public sectors, including partnerships such as HABIKO and ventures with Oaktree Capital. The Agency also supports SME homebuilders via the Home Building Fund and green initiatives like the Greener Homes Alliance.
Leaders across the agency credit the success to Homes England’s commitment to regeneration, regional growth, and expanding the housing market. The agency is transitioning to a regionally-focused model to further support the government's housing goals. Final figures will appear in Homes England’s upcoming annual report.
Lumensol Says: “Homes England exceeding its targets is a welcome development, particularly at a time when Local Authorities are facing unprecedented pressures around housing affordability and homelessness.
However, the real measure of success lies not just in numbers, but in whether homes are genuinely affordable, well-located, and responsive to local needs. Councils continue to grapple with limited supply, escalating temporary accommodation use, and widening inequalities which all require long-term, cross-sector collaboration and investment beyond these national targets.
Too often, homes are delivered where land is easiest to unlock rather than where demand and infrastructure capacity are highest. Strengthening strategic partnerships between Homes England and councils will ensure smarter, place-based outcomes."
Ellie Eghtedar, Principle Consultant