The Association for Consultancy and Engineering, the trade association for the infrastructure sector with members ranging from global companies such as ARUP, Mott MacDonald and AECOM to SMEs and micro developers, has welcomed the Government’s announcement to streamline the development process for SME housebuilders.  

The announcement made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will ensure complex planning rules are streamlined, onerous regulatory burdens eased and financial firepower is provided to SME builders.  

Kate Kennings, CEO of ACE Group, said: “We fully welcome the government’s commitment to streamlining planning decisions, easing regulatory and financial pressures, and backing it with meaningful funding.  

“For years, our members have faced disproportionate barriers in the planning system – with small developments subject to the same costly and time-consuming processes as major schemes. Today’s reforms mark a critical shift towards a more proportionate, practical and pro-growth approach. 

“They will enable our members to get on with the job of building the homes people need – supporting local employment, apprenticeships and regional economic growth of cities, town and villages across the country in the months and years ahead.  

“We look forward to working closely with Ministers and Homes England to ensure these reforms deliver real results on the ground and further enhance, not restrict, BNG.” 

Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe, a civil and structural engineering firm, said: “As an SME the proposed streamlined regulation, will make it enormously easier to deliver biodiverse habitats alongside building the homes the nation desperately needs.  

“At Sutcliffe, we strive for excellence in delivery and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do; the focus on easing the process to deliver BNG rules will not distract from that and empower us to build communities and enrich lives.”   

Piers Burroughs, chair of ACE’s SME group and managing director of civil and structural engineering firm Burroughs, also added: “Today’s announcement is a real breakthrough for local housebuilders. 

“For far too long, smaller developers have been held back by a planning system that treats a 10-home scheme the same as one with 100. These reforms will finally help create a level playing field, cut restrictive red tape, and unlock the kind of community-led, high-quality development that we specialise in.”