Knaresborough-based Wharfedale Homes has coordinated a consortium of Yorkshire SME housebuilders that has welcomed the government’s consultation on planning reform and called for practical changes to help unlock thousands of new homes across the region.
Where SME developers once built around 40% of new homes in the UK, today that figure has fallen to just 10%, according to the Federation of Master Builders. The group argues that empowering small and medium-sized housebuilders is essential if the government is to deliver its target of 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament.
The consortium stresses that while large strategic sites are important, smaller developments are equally vital to housing delivery. They not only add much-needed variety in type, tenure and affordability, but also lend themselves to locally influenced design that respects and enhances local character.
The group includes Ashfield Group, Bankhead Group, Parklane Homes, Newett Homes, Shadwell Developments, Thomas Alexander Homes, Venturi Homes, Yorkshire Choice Homes, Yorkshire Land Limited, Mallard Homes and Yorkstone Homes, advised by planning consultancy Johnson Mowat.
They have collectively made a formal response to the government’s consultation on ‘Reforming Site Thresholds’, calling for practical and deliverable change in the plannings system.
Among the reforms proposed are:
- a simplified Permission in Principle (PiP) process
- streamlined Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules for small sites
- clearer planning thresholds to cut red tape and reduce risk
The consortium also urges the government to speed up and simplify building regulations and statutory agreements, which are often critical to funding and delivery.
Matt Gibson, land and development director at Wharfedale Homes, said: “The current planning system is skewed in favour of larger players. SMEs face disproportionate costs and delays, even when delivering modest, sustainable schemes. The proposed reforms could represent a genuine opportunity to rebalance the system and unlock thousands of new homes across Yorkshire and beyond.
“Small and medium-sized sites are often quicker to deliver and easier to integrate into communities. With the right reforms, SMEs can get back to what we do best – delivering high-quality homes rooted in local places, supporting local supply chains, and strengthening regional economies.”
