The Government’s 10 point for housing is a much-needed boost to help build more homes but new homes are needed in every village, town, and city and not just selected urban areas, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to Michael Gove’s speech.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said “A plan for more housing is very welcome and hopefully it will go some way to get housing numbers back on track. It’s positive to see a focus on brownfield sites which are the mainstay of SME house builders, but the planning system also needs to be fixed to ensure that these developments become a reality. Too many SME house builders are stuck in planning purgatory which stops the delivery of housing and employment opportunities in their communities.”
Berry concluded “The recommitment to ‘building beautiful’ is positive. The FMB has consistently highlighted that it is the small, local house builders that are best placed to truly deliver on this ambition. They build quality, local homes that reflect their communities’ needs which is why the Government’s focus on urban areas needs to be balanced with the need to address housing shortages in our rural communities.”
Notes to editors
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to help them succeed. The FMB is committed to raising quality in the construction industry and offers a free Find a Builder service to consumers.
