3 minute read
Damian Sullivan, Sigma Strategic Land's Senior Planning Manager sat down with Paul Brocklehurst of the Land Promoters and Developer’s Federation (LPDF) to find out more about the LPDF and how they are supporting SME housebuilders like Sigma Strategic Land to enhance the debate on housing supply. Paul is the founding Chairman for the LPDF which was formed in 2018 to champion the needs and voice of the development industry. It is going from strength to strength having recently announced 35 members and 57 affiliates.
1. Sigma Strategic Land (SSL) is absolutely delighted to have joined the Land Promoters and Developers Federation (LPDF). SSL forms the land promotion arm for Sigma Homes Group which is an SME housebuilder based in Horsham, West Sussex. For us, the decision to join the LPDF was one of increasing visibility, strength and reputation across the industry. How does the LPDF see itself growing in these areas?
And the LPDF are delighted to welcome you as members. The sector had no voice before the LPDF formed in 2018. We believe strongly that not only do we promote the sector but that we want to see its reputation enhanced as well.
2. The key message for the LPDF appears to be for the development industry to come together as One Voice. Can you explain more about this and how you see this developing during this time of increasing housing pressures and economic demands?
We see it as imperative that the land promotion industry comes together to highlight the impact of planning policy on the delivery of housing. There is and has been for some time, a housing crisis that requires concerted action to address it. We need to highlight how we as a sector can help to address this, including the delivery of Affordable Housing. We believe that this period post-pandemic is an opportunity for Government to boost housing delivery. This will not only drive growth in the sector but has so many wider benefits, with employers often citing the availability of good housing stock for new employees as a key determinant in their investment decisions for instance. There are substantial health and well-being benefits as well. Only by boosting delivery will we end the generational injustice that is also prevalent within the housing market. The government has shown an awareness of the role the sector can play but it has been focussed on the demand side and this is now leading to other pressures (see below!).
3. How can the LPDF’s One Voice most effectively influence Government policy and drive real change?
We are building our profile within Government and those involved in the policy agenda. As a grouping, we need to strengthen this by being recognised as the leading voice of those that interact with the planning system to establish the principle of development for homes. All our members have hourly interactions with LPAs and it gives a huge insight as to how it operates in practice. We must leverage this. Unfortunately, certain recent policy decisions of the Government move us in the wrong direction, but we must provide them with the evidence to realise that they have erred – it’s no good just saying it’s wrong, we need to build up the evidence base to highlight why. The LPDF has commissioned Research on Housing Land Supply jointly with the HBF and over the spring and summer, we’ll be supplementing this with pieces on the SM Urban Policy, an Affordable Housing piece and starting a new annual State of the Countryside report. We’re also investigating working with somebody on an Intergenerational Index / Report.
4. Like other businesses, Sigma Strategic Land views this Summer as providing a fresh start after the pandemic related difficulties of 2020. How do you see the LPDF growing through 2021?
Interestingly the past 12 months have seen our membership grow significantly and we want to carry this momentum forward into 2021/22 growing our sector representation further. Large or small we want those who operate in this sector to see us as their voice. There’s a membership tier for everybody!
5. What percentage of your membership is made up of SMEs like Sigma Strategic Land and what do you see as being the main challenges to this sector?
It is an interesting characteristic of our sector that the majority of our members are SMEs. We are very proud of them it has led to some of our key strengths as a sector – that we are entrepreneurial, fleet of foot, innovative, creative and flexible.
6. We see that planning PR firms are now joining LPDF. How important is it to attract a diverse range of members and why?
We have a vast array of Affiliates, including Planning PR firms, and we are very grateful for their support. It highlights the work generated by members – from PR, Planning Consultants, Technical Consultants through to Planning lawyers and barristers. They recognise that we as the promotion sector have become a critical part of the housing delivery dynamic and their association with the LPDF will hopefully aid the sector’s development.
7. It was so welcoming to see in the ‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper consultation, clear acknowledgement for SME housebuilders to write in and suggest ways that the Planning system can support them. How has the LPDF viewed this clarion call?
There are parts of the White Paper that we have welcomed and commented on positively, however, there was a lot of detail lacking in respect of other elements of the Government’s plans. We will be proactive in interacting with Government when they publish their responses. However, as the LPDF we are focussed on how the planning system will operate during the interregnum before new Plans see the light of day. There are undoubtedly stresses and tensions appearing.
8. Sigma Strategic Land regularly communicates and engages with landowners from their first meeting all the way through the process including on legal matters and planning. Have you got any tips for effective engagement with landowners?
Leave the hardest questions to the end! No landowner is the same so you need to deploy the skills that I have highlighted as being this sector’s core strengths (in 5 above) to deal with them. However, I’m a great believer in being open and very straight with landowners as most recognise and value these qualities. It is our responsibility as Promoters to inform them on a regular basis of progress, even if there is none!
9. What are your concerns over the outlook for the development industry over the coming year and how is LPDF seeking to address them?
Having plenty of grey hairs(!). I look at the current housing market and am reminded of 1989 ahead of the ending of double mortgage interest relief. However, there is a key difference, very low interest rates, and unlike 2008/9 there appears to be limited stress in the banking markets. So, whilst the ending of SDLT may have some impact I’m pretty positive on the wider housing market for the foreseeable future. However, I think there are real stresses in the land market due to the planning system – Local Plans stalled, housing numbers being allocated to the wrong areas and an Appeals system that does not apply the Presumption in Favour/Tilted Balance in the way it was shortly after the NPPFs inception in 2012. All that said the role of the promotion sector has always been to push the system to deliver the houses that this country so desperately needs – now is no different. The LPDF will work hard to highlight the issues on behalf of its members.
10. Sigma Strategic Land very much appreciates your time and commitment in being the first in a series of Q&As. To end on, how can SMEs housebuilders and the LPDF achieve the best working relationship through 2021 and beyond?
We want to carry on building our membership, especially with SMEs, and then have an active relationship with them to ensure that we best represent their interests. That can only be done through engagement and we hope to be back to face to face events in the late summer.
To find out more about the LPDF, what they do and who they are, head on over to their website.
