Fall in consumer demand for new homes

Consumer demand for new homes has fallen by 8% over the last year to its lowest level since 2013, according to the latest Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) House Builders’ Survey, an annual assessment of small and medium (SME) house builders in England.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Small house builders are starting to see the effects of Brexit uncertainty taking its toll on consumer confidence. Many prospective homeowners are clearly holding off buying until there is more political and economic certainty. Hopefully this is just a short-term pause, and that post-Brexit, demand will pick up once again. If not, and we enter a downturn period, the government will need to consider how best to support SME house builders to avoid many firms leaving the sector.”

Brian said this is the fifth consecutive year that small house builders have cited lack of access to available and viable land as the number one barrier.

“The increases in planning fees by 20% in January 2018 were supposed to lead to increased speed and delivery of planning services, but only 3% of our members have seen any improvement since the rise,” Brian said.“In fact, 38% of small builders have seen the performance of planning departments worsen. Builders are now paying more for an inferior service which needs to be addressed urgently as part of the government’s proposals to accelerate the planning system.”