The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed the findings of the latest report from the House of Lords Built Environment Committee urging much needed support for SME housing developers to help boost housing numbers and reverse decades of decline.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of FMB, said: “The findings of this report show the invaluable contribution that SME house builders can have in boosting housing numbers and delivering quality homes. It recognises key solutions, with sensible recommendations to tackle the lack of available land and the complex planning system. To reverse decades of declining numbers of small, local house builders, the Government must listen. Greater adoption of the proposed ‘master developer’ schemes on large sites to unlock access to stable development opportunities is welcome, but more needs to be done to increase land availability, such as identifying small, underutilised sites in local plans. Fast-tracking applications from small builders would make a real difference, as would addressing skills shortages.”