Our latest research finds half of local planning authorities are failing to discharge planning conditions within the statutory timeframe hbf.co.uk/research-insight/c…

Here's what you can expect from the 2027 HBF Future Talent Conference👇 …book your tickets while availability lasts. 📅 25 February 2027 📍 The Studio, Birmingham 🎫👉 house-builder.co.uk/events/h…

Birmingham is calling 📢 Our 2027 Future Talent Conference takes place on 25 February. Book now, save £60 per ticket. 👉 house-builder.co.uk/events/h…

We’re proud of the role our conference plays in supporting learning and development for those at the start of their careers. The 2027 HBF Future Talent Conference takes place on 25 February. Book now to secure the early booking discount 👉️ house-builder.co.uk/events/h…

Our latest research finds that local authorities are struggling to meet planning deadlines, despite collecting £200 million in additional fees from developers hbf.co.uk/research-insight/p…

Will the Government’s decision not to allow financial contributions instead of on-site Affordable Housing on medium-sized sites affect viability and slow housing delivery? SME home builders, share your opinions in our SME Sentiment survey today 👉️ form.jotform.com/26250424427…

Just 45,315 new homes received planning permission in England in Q2 2026, the lowest quarterly total since 2012. Our Housing Pipeline report, based on Glenigan data, shows that in the year to Q2 2026, permissions were granted for 214,515 homes, the lowest annual total since 2013, down 8% on the previous year and 36% below the 2017 peak.

The number of new homes receiving planning permission has fallen by 21% in the last quarter, providing compelling evidence to support Government’s decision to introduce a new equity loan scheme to support first-time buyers and boost housing supply. #HousingPipeline

Your responses will help shape our priorities. This quarter’s survey asks about Affordable Housing and medium-sized sites, including why registered providers are not bidding for Section 106 units or submitting unviable bids. SME home builders, share your insight now 👉️ form.jotform.com/26250424427…

We welcome today's announcement of a new equity loan scheme and the Government's recognition of the significant challenges facing first-time buyers and the wider housing market. We have long called for action to improve access to home ownership, and our analysis shows a well-designed scheme can make a meaningful difference for households struggling to get onto the property ladder. We look forward to working with Government and the wider sector to refine the details and get the scheme up and running quickly, ensuring the it works for buyers across the country and home builders of all sizes.

Last year, home building resulted in around £6 billion of spending within local shops and businesses, supporting local economies and the places people already call home.

Earlier this month we submitted our representations for the Autumn Budget, calling on Government to focus its action across six key areas. 1. Support first-time buyers and strengthen effective demand 2. Reduce the cumulative cost burden on the development of new homes 3. Remove fiscal barriers to housing delivery 4. Unlock Section 106 Affordable Housing delivery 5. Increase capacity within the planning system and local government 6. Support skilled jobs within the home building industry

On Monday, we will be hosting a panel at Labour party conference, entitled ‘Back small builders, build more homes: Creating the conditions for SME developers to thrive’. The panel will discuss the barriers facing smaller builders and the key policy decisions needed to unlock their potential. Join us in Room 4B at the Liverpool Experience Campus on Monday 28 September, 2 to 3pm.

This morning, we hosted our London Residential Developers Forum, bringing together industry leaders to discuss the challenges facing London’s housing market. It was fantastic to hear from our guest speaker, Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service. The session provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to share their insights on how the Draft London Plan could best support London’s home builders, as well as discuss the broader viability and affordability constraints across the wider housing market. To find out more about HBF membership and our group member meetings visit 👇 lnkd.in/gUdY3Wzs

Home building supports around 734,000 jobs across England, including 9,000 apprentices, graduates and trainees. From construction and planning to sales, engineering and skilled trades, home building supports a wide range of jobs and career opportunities. This matters at a time when 1.77 million people across the UK are out of work, with 16% of 16– to 24-year-olds currently unemployed. Home building has an important role to play in creating opportunities, developing skills and helping people build a career.

“Without sustained investment in planning teams, there is a real risk that the benefits of planning reform will not be fully realised” - Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation. Our latest report examines staffing levels, vacancies, staff turnover, and the use of agency workers across planning departments English and Welsh councils during the 2025/26 financial year. The findings are significant, and we urge ministers to ensure that new planning reforms are backed by additional resources, so that they can be implemented. Read the 2026 Planning on Empty report 👇️ hbf.co.uk/research-insight/p…

The consequences of an under-resourced planning system are clear with only 20% of major planning applications determined within the statutory 13-week target. Meanwhile councils consistently identify a lack of staff and resources as one of the main reasons they are unable to monitor, allocate and spend Section 106 funds efficiently. As the regulatory and compliance environment becomes increasingly complex, with new regulations like Biodiveristy Net Gain, the strain on LPA teams will only intensify. That's why we're calling for Government to recognise the funding pressures facing local authorities and provide sustained, long-term funding to support councils in recruiting and retaining permanent planning staff. We are also urging ministers to ensure that new planning reforms are backed by additional resources, so that they can be implemented, and to publish annual data on the planning department's capacity and performance.

Could the New Homes Accelerator help get your site moving? Join us this Thursday 17 September, 11am –12pm to hear how the NHA can help tackle barriers to housing delivery, and put your questions directly to the team. Register now 👉 hbf.co.uk/events/new-homes-a…