A manifesto with eight key proposals aimed at reforming the housing sector to support small and medium-sized (SME) developers in delivering more homes has been issued by property finance provider, Atelier.

This manifesto is the result of extensive conversations with private developers, planning consultants, and various experts from We Build, Stancliffe Homes, Iesis Group, Allsop, Hugh James, and Newsteer.

The consensus was clear: without addressing key barriers facing private developers and streamlining decision-making among local authorities, the Government is unlikely to meet its goal of constructing 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

The manifesto highlights several pressing challenges, including the growing politicisation of the planning process, excessive bureaucracy, and a lack of transparency—especially when it comes to delays, which can become costly. As an example, a one-year delay on a £10 million project could result in more than £1 million in additional interest payments alone.

In response, the group put forward several solutions, such as removing political influence from planning decisions and establishing performance targets for planning officers to foster greater accountability. They also recommended enhancing transparency, particularly around payments tied to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Among the other suggestions were creating planning frameworks based on specific local needs and offering relief from Section 106 payment obligations for smaller development projects.

Chris Gardner, CEO of Atelier, voiced his concerns: “The one stakeholder group that is completely unrepresented in every planning application and approval process is the would-be homeowner. The current system neglects the hopeful homeowners across our country. Taking a step back, we need to see a transformation in the leadership and culture of the system so that we are once again encouraging development. Planning officers need to know that they are supported when they make unpopular decisions. If you’re going to build 1.5 million houses you need to be bold, and the Government needs to be driving that from the top.”

Peter Messenger, senior development monitor at Atelier, added: “The lack of transparency from local authorities in the processing of CIL and Section 106 agreements drives a wedge between developers and local communities. Smaller schemes should be allowed exemptions from such onerous and costly mechanisms.”

These reforms are viewed as essential steps to ensure that housing development goals are met, with a focus on reducing the burden on SME developers while addressing inefficiencies in the current system.