Emma Cox: Prohibitive planning structures stalling SME developers

Discussing the need to empower small to medium (SME) housebuilders at the NACFB Commercial Finance Expo, Cox said developers are struggling to get planning permissions under the current system.

Emma Cox: Prohibitive planning structures stalling SME developers

Emma Cox, sales director at Shawbrook Bank, has called for changes to the currently prohibitive planning system.

 

Discussing the need to empower small to medium (SME) housebuilders at the NACFB Commercial Finance Expo, Cox said developers are struggling to get planning permissions under the current system.

As a result, lenders need to employ increased understanding and flexibility when supporting SME developers.

She has also called on Michael Gove to use his tenure as Housing Secretary to introduce planning reform to open up opportunities for developers.

However, Cox added that there are still significant opportunities to be had for these developers, and the intermediaries who support them.