A Housebuilder Heart to Heart
In March the spotlight shone directly onto developers and the housing market, with debate over housebuilders’ delivery and Government announcements on planning. We speak to John Griggs, Director from SME housebuilder Regalpoint Homes, who gives his say on some of the issues…
How do you respond to accusations that developers are simply sitting on land to gain profits?
“This is a tactic sometimes used by larger builders who can afford to wait for their profits, but the Government’s idea not to grant planning permission if a company has a history of not building on their land is a good way to alleviate this problem. Of course, a developer’s profitability is what keeps them afloat and it is in the market’s interest for housebuilders to make wise and timely business decisions in order to maintain their delivery of new homes – but I agree that those who sit on land for long periods of time, never intending to build, are contributing to the problem.”
What do you think could be done to improve the housing industry?
“More radical steps need to be taken to overhaul and speed up the planning process. The pre-planning phase can take years sometimes, with many conditions (which are added to more and more) for us to meet. It may look like we’re doing nothing, but behind the scenes we are leaping over hurdle after hurdle, from S106 agreements to statutory consultations – and this is just stage one, there are four stages in total, each as lengthy as the last.
Housebuilders have been put in this situation by the Government, so instead of complaining about the delivery of new homes and laying blame at the door of housebuilders, they need to either re-work the system or provide significant funding to tackle the lack of planning department resources.”
How has the market been for Regalpoint Homes?
“The market for us has generally slowed down slightly, but not worryingly so. We recently held an off-plan launch day at our development Regal Gate in Tunbridge Wells and received considerable interest, with an apartment being sold then and there – so things are not stagnant. For us personally, we are very positive about the forthcoming year, with another scheme in Tonbridge due to release soon.”
Current residential developments include Regal Gate in Tunbridge Wells and One Three Three in Tonbridge. For more information, visit the Regalpoint Homes website at www.regalpoint.co.uk.