Attributed to Ken Graham, Burdens

In spite of the Government’s stated commitment to ramp up the rate of housebuilding, progress at many sites across the UK has stalled, with their future uncertain. Large housing developments either remain unstarted or, even worse, have seen some progress which is then halted.

The Government’s 300,000 annual new homes target is commendably ambitious. But any such target can only be met with the goodwill, co-operation and efforts of other parties. And it’s worth remembering that many houses have not been built in a single year in the UK since 1947.

As always, it’s easy to see finance as part of the problem. Funding promised by central government is not always released as quickly as would be ideal. Challenges emanate from changes in priorities and budget constraints. Delays in unveiling the next Affordable Homes Programme and other funding schemes also foster uncertainty.

Meanwhile, any new development requires local planning permission. Irrespective of views on local housing need and the pressure to provide certain quantities of housing, many councillors will be under pressure to oppose schemes which eat into precious green spaces or place further pressure on already stretched local resources and infrastructure. And in many areas, there simply aren’t enough planning officers to process the work. Even if there were, central government cannot force local planning bodies to move more rapidly.

Of course, construction of new homes is progressing apace – some would say too much so – in many parts of the county. Even so, many individuals simply cannot get on the property ladder for financial reasons. While nowhere near the spiralling rates of the 80s and 90s, interest rates are still high enough to deter many would-be homeowners from making the leap.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that developers aren’t always keen to move quickly. At even small developments, much work must be done before any homes can be built and sold. There is no profit in building roads, installing sewers, connecting utilities and so on, but all these must be in place before home construction can begin. And a developer who suspects they may be unable to sell the homes, can hardly be blamed for holding off until conditions are more favourable.

A further challenge exists around labour and materials availability. Some contractors stockpile certain products for fear they will run out, creating artificial shortages. And with so many major projects in progress as part of the Great Grid Upgrade, CP7 and AMP8, there may be challenges in finding anyone to undertake certain types of work, especially groundworks and utilities.

This is where leading merchants can help in ensuring infrastructure-first delivery. Their nationwide branch coverage, resilient supply chains, and deep expertise in civils and groundworks, positions them ideally to accelerate construction by supplying the right materials, understood and applied effectively, alongside unbiased technical knowledge and logistical support.

At a time when upfront infrastructure is often the barrier to progress, leading merchants can act as a vital enabler in the drive to “get Britain building again”, even in the face of planning delays and economic uncertainty.

For further information visit www.burdens.co.uk/